At least once a week I read the warnings from agents about copying photographs. Honestly, I haven't given it much thought until today. Like most experiences, it seems a bit pronounced when the effect hits home. The words in the endless warnings never mentioned the emotional side of a stolen photograph. In the middle of my busy, hectic, Monday-all-over-again day, I received an email from a friend who had recognized one of my photographs. Anyone who knows me, and even those who have only read one or two of my ramblings know that I lost a very dear friend not too long ago. His name was Jackson. He was my sidekick, my foot warmer, my best friend, and my comfort. Jackson was a quirky cocker spaniel who for 14 lovely years never once left my side. We were inseparable. Inseparable until tainte... 11/17/2010

There is no bad way to experience Beaufort, SC -- Car, horse-drawn carriage, feet, boat and kayak are all excellent options. But how about by bike? One of the burgeoning businesses in Beaufort seems to be bike tours. With it's flat terrain and beautiful climate, Beaufort seems a natural destination for bike enthusiasts. And now, vans pulling a trailer-full of bikes are a common site these days in downtown Beaufort. Thanks to a local couple here in Beaufort, it is possible to do an impromptu one to four hour bicycle tour. Sea Island Bike Tours is becoming ubiquitous around Beaufort. And, little wonder. According to the homepage, www.seaislandbiketours.com, tours are available of Historic Downtown Beaufort, St. Helena Island, and even Parris Island, Port Royal's historic training ground f... 11/15/2010

Each week I call my sellers to update them on market trends, local activity, showings and/or inquiries regarding their property. I encourage them to be positive, proactive, and patient. It isn't my favorite phone call to make. Obviously, I prefer the "We did it." call. It is more than the commission, more than the "I sold it"; it is about reaching a goal, helping a partner, watching someone move forward with a dream or a plan. I made that call yesterday. This was a challenge (aren't they all); a luxury property in a not so luxurious market. This home could have had a starring role in "Gone With The Wind" it is just that awesome. The double porches alone gives any guest a reason to talk a bit more gently. From internet to print, I have used every method of marketing I know, and even some... 11/14/2010

South Carolina just released the statewide school report cards and Beaufort SC made tremendous gains! As a former teacher, I am beaming with pride. I understand just how much work goes in to each and every single victory. This is an awesome victory. I am proud of the teachers, the students, the administration and the parents for demanding excellence, pushing forward, and making education a top priority. Now, not only do we live in the most beautiful place on earth (yes it can be verified:), but our little schools rock! Beaufort SC Schools Report Card 11/13/2010

There are some photos that require no caption, no description, no editing. This is a young couple that I had the honor of helping buy their very first home. He was coming home from his first deployment in Iraq. This is one aspect of war, that FOX nor CNN can capture even on their very best of days. Don't forget the sacrifice these men and women make each and everyday. Take a moment to thank them. 11/09/2010

Sometimes we forget to say thank you. Make sure to take a moment this Thursday, to shake a hand, send a card, say a prayer. Living in Beaufort SC,I am fortunate to see these men and women everyday. Many of them began their journey as Marines right here at Parris Island. They sacrifice it all, for us. So this Thursday, stop for just a moment to say thank you. Maybe it is a mom whose son is at war, a wife whose husband is on his 4th deployment, a child whose mom is stationed in Afghanistan, all deserve our gratitude.   Thank You All, Godspeed.     11/08/2010

With Veterans Day just around the corner what better way to help celebrate than listing a few specials for those who serve, and have served our country. Now unitl Veterans Day we will post specials offered to military families.Today's Special is offered by Microsoft:Office Home and Student 2010 -Military Appreciation Edition.4 wonderful programs in one package.  Word 2010, PowerPoint 2010, Excel 2010, and OneNote 2010- This is offered at the amazing price of $79.99, a savings of 46%!Check back each day for new specials until Veterans Day! Each and everyday, in Beaufort SC, we see first hand how hard our service men and women work, how much they sacrifice, and the risks they take. We are so thankful for them. 11/07/2010

IN Beaufort South Carolina we are honored to celebrate November 10 as the 235th birthday of the Marine Corps.  We are fortunate that we don't have to travel far at all, to shake a hand, share a smile, or even give a thumbs up to The Few, The Proud. Whether you call them gyrenes, jarheads, leathernecks, devildogs, husband/wife, son/daughter or boyfriend/girlfriend, they are devastatingly good looking in their dress blues, no?   Now, the Marine Corps has many traditions and the one most closely associated with THE BIRTHDAY is the Birthday Ball. I have attended plenty of Birthday balls and although these fetes start off as formal, they don't end that way.  I could make the post about Ball antics, but I would like to refrain.     Even if there is no Birthday Ball, there is always a cake cut... 11/07/2010

It's November, and one question that comes up every year at this time is "should I try to sell my home during the holidays?" My answer is if you need to sell your house, then YES!!  There is no better reason better than your needs and timing.  That comes first.  But when you think further on the subject and timing, the smarter it seems.  There is a "top ten" (actually eleven, take a bonus!) list sent to me by an agent friend of mine in Raleigh NC (thanks Michelle Edwards!) and I am shamelessly reposting it here.  Enjoy, and feel free to share it with your sellers.   THE TOP 11 REASONS YOU SHOULD LIST YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS.... 11.  Selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during  the spring, when many more houses are on the market for less money! This... 11/07/2010

Beaufort SC Real Estate statistics for the past 90 days show a slight decrease in homes sold in the $130,000-$230,000 price range. It is clear that Ladys Island is certainly improving in sold homes. This is extremely exciting as Ladys Island is the home of our new development Somerset Point. It is imperative that we keep our clients well informed on market trends. Please don't hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about the statistics below. Beaufort SC Real Estate Statistics Past 90 Days Homes Sold $130,000-$230,000. 11/06/2010

  Does this agent really need his own desk? Maybe it won't work stateside, but I love the concept I just read about in a very well-done Active Rain post. The blog was posted by Song San of Coldwell Banker Dynasty in California, and regards what seems to be the very successful real estate model in China  -- Instead of dedicated desk space for all agents, there are fewer, shared desks which must be reserved in advance.  I love this concept, and I am not even the guy paying the bills around my office. Many real estate offices are ghost towns during business hours. One very successful local firm recently moved away from dedicated desk space in favor of a "first-come, first-serve" desk-space model. I mean, if you are not going to be at the office but once every week or two, why should you as... 11/04/2010

The online children's book service A Story Before Bed is giving away 100,000 free children's books online to deployed and deploying parents serving in the U.S. armed forces. Already, more than 3,500 recordings have been given away.  This service lets parents and grandparents record videos of themselves reading children's picture books to their kids. Children can watch the stories in a Web browser or in the exclusive A Story Before Bed app for the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch.   Military parents can register for a free subscription on the A Story Before Bed website. They'll receive a subscription, which entitles them to record any of 25 books currently included in the "subscription collection."   Recordings combine a video of the reader along with full-screen images of the pages being rec... 11/03/2010

Welcome to Habersham -- Habersham is a true original. Inspired by the coastal towns of 100 or so years go, the developers of Habersham have created a totally unique community along the banks of Habersham Creek, and the Broad River. Very few details were overlooked in the planning of this Lowcountry jewel. Streets and intersections were planned to wrap around majestic oak trees, and the community pool overlooks the magnificantly wide and aptly named Broad River. I have first-hand experience in Habersham. My family resided there several years ago. It is a wonderful place to call home. Habersham has been recognized as one of the nation's premier neighborhoods in recent years. Habersham is sprinkled with more than a dozen parks, many of which overlook Broad River, allowing all residents to ... 11/02/2010

Last night, while in search of Tricks and Treats with my son Panyue, I ran into one of my favorite Realtors -- Bryan G. He's just a great guy. I have always known Bryan to be a really professional, stand-up guy. Last night, on Halloween, he confirmed it. His neighborhood, which shall remain nameless, is a trick or treat hotspot, one of those neighborhoods that seems to suck children in right off the street. Parents bring their children from outside the neighborhood to trick or treat in this Beaufort neo-traditional neighborhood. On Halloween night, everyone in the neighborhood seems to be on the front porch, welcoming children with a smile and an arm-full of candy. Well, not quite everyone. A few years ago, a few old farts in the neighborhood felt the neighborhood had become a little to... 11/01/2010

  As a Mississippi girl, sharks were little more than a looming memory of the ominous music played before a massive creature attacked some unsuspecting characters dressed in a most unforgettable and somewhat unforgiving wardrobe from the late 70's. But now I am in beautiful Beaufort, SC and what do I catch while attempting to hook a trout or two.....Mr. Bonnethead himself. Now, please, before anyone fusses about our mistreatment of the wonderful marine life, you should know Mr. Bonnethead is swimming happily in the saltwater estuaries of the lowcountry. This was my first experience with this type shark. He was quite the fighter...we had no idea what awaited us on the end of our shrimp baited "stopper" (now, let me explain....in Mississippi we refer to the so called cork as a stopper, un... 10/31/2010

Coming from a small town in rural Mississippi, there is one thing I understand completely. The importance of small town football can never be underestimated. The great equalizer, the great healer, the great debate, the great end to a long week; small town football. Anyone who has ever forgotten what it was like to work so hard, to want something so badly, and to give everything you can for that one moment; attend your local high school football game. These young men aren't getting a paycheck. There is no promise of endorsements, worldwide fame, and/or and instant get out of jail free card. There is pride though, a lot of it. Their parents, neighbors, teachers, preacher, bus driver, barber, grandma all crowd the aluminum stands to remember what it is like to do something just because you... 10/30/2010

On the way home from school yesterday, Bryan, my 15-year-old, grabbed my camera and started snapping away as we crossed the Intracoastal Waterway. This photo was the result. This is the kind of scene that prevents me from ever taking Beaufort for granted. When he saw the photo on my computer, Bryan was concerned about the quality of the photo. "Quality?" I asked with surprise, "it's perfect." The shot was taken in between the rails of the bridge as we traversed it, so, while Bryan was concerned the quality wasn't great, I, quite frankly, am surprised it came out as well as it did. Also, the folks at Riverview Charter School in Beaufort put up a couple of creepy scarecrows on the school lawn. Click here to view. For more information on Beaufort, SC, or the Beaufort, SC real estate market... 10/29/2010

At first, a tabula rasa of plans and creativity can often morph into less of an adventure and more of a burden. Obvious catalysts such as divorce, job relocation, and financial upheaval take their place as the usual suspects; yet, lesser known but equally powerful are the smaller complications that often chip away at the wall of fondness towards the walls of home. A residence becomes many things over the course of ownership. It ebbs and flows between new project, old repairs, new replacements, and old cares. Tides of change can wrinkle the face of a neighborhood that was once bursting with training wheels and jungle gyms. A home that echoed pitter patter of tiny toes now sees no ghosts or goblins roaming on Halloween. That quiet community where retirees enjoyed front porch conversations... 10/26/2010

Today will be full of preparations, organization, notification, and a whole lot of whoohooo's. We are buzzing around the office trying to make sure we have everything ready; expectations are grand. It is just what we need. To be surrounded by like minds, creative energy, and positive attitudes. Ahh, sweet! I am extremely excited and can't wait to learn as much as my brain can possibly absorb. I have no doubt that I will bring back with me some amazing tools, experience, and ideas to better serve my clients, market their listings, and navigate the sometime murky waters of advertising. Active Rain has been such an enormous part of my business, and a tremendous asset to marketing for my sellers. So, the bags are packed, the tires are full, the ideas are streaming!!!! We are heading to Rain... 10/25/2010

cherimie | Ballenger Realty | (843) 812-2090 29 Ridge Road, Beaufort, SC Custom Dream Home with Water Views on Cat Island 4BR/4+1BA Single Family House offered at $995,000 Year Built 2007 Sq Footage 5,800 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $54 per month DESCRIPTION Expansive views of the Chowan Creek from almost every room in this stately southern home located on prestigious Cat Island add to the charm and exquisite detail. Heart of pine floors add warmth, the custom crown molding compliments the high ceilings throughout, oversized Anderson windows give way to natural light and tremendous water views. With over 5000 square of luxurious living that includes a glorious master suite with custom tiled shower, whirlpool tub, d... 10/25/2010