cherimie | Ballenger Realty | (843) 812-2090 22 Millers Pond, Beaufort, SC Lowcountry Luxury in Desirable Coosaw Point. 22 Millers Pond 3BR/3+1BA Single Family House offered at $569,000 Year Built 2006 Sq Footage 3,286 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors Unspecified Parking Unspecified Lot Size 16,117 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Immaculate detail, southern elegance, warm-welcoming ambiance and that is just the front porch. This home represents why so many come to the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Nestled on an Oak draped lot on one of Ladys Island's most desirable waterfront communities. Coosaw Point is tucked peacefully where the Coosaw River meets the St. Helena Sound. With over 3200 square foot of lowcountry style, each room tells a story of comfort and quality... 10/25/2010

cherimie | Ballenger Realty | (843) 812-2090 103 Tuscarora, Beaufort, SC Private Retreat Estate Tucked Peacefully on 5 Acres Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. 4BR/3+1BA Single Family House offered at $1,470,000 Year Built 1996 Sq Footage 2,563 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 5.00 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Stunning beauty describes this awesome & unique deep water property: past the gate, a private driveway winds around palm trees, palmettos, cedar trees and lush lowcountry vegetation and leads to a 5 ac. secluded peninsula. Very private settings with beautiful panoramic views of the ICW, yet inside an upscale community only 15 min. from the Historic District. The one story nicely appointed 4 bedrm house and huge back dec... 10/25/2010

Next time you think you're having a bad day, consider the fate of poor Audrey Wasilewski, a Coldwell Banker agent in Louisiana. Not only is she enduring the same challenging market forces as the rest of us, Ms. Wasilewski had a rocket-propelled grenade blow up in her face. My son and I saw the very excellent movie Red Sunday. Bruce Willis plays a retired CIA agent who is sucked back into action after a  hit is placed on him by none other than the vice president of the United States. At every turn, Willis and his colleagues -- Mary-Louise Parker,  John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren -- confront danger from teams of hit-men......and hit-women.  One of the would-be assassins is Ms. Wasilewski, who portrays a seemingly hapless real estate agent who is mistakenly threatened -- a... 10/25/2010

At the tender age of 9, I read a quote that has forever been implanted in my mind. I find that to be astonishing in and of itself especially in times when my mind seems to be the slipping slide of fodder. "If only one woman would tell the truth of her life, the world would split wide open." Anonymous Now why on earth would that make such an enormous impact on a 9 year old? Well maybe it was because at the time I most likely felt guilty for my latest prank towards my little sister or the mere thought of the world "splitting wide open" just wasn't on my cool list. Either way, it has remained tucked neatly in my memory. Many years later I find meaning in such a quote. Afterall, like most, I spend a majority of my day trying to hold my world together. In the following list you will find hum... 10/24/2010

Everyone is in a relationship; complicated, comfy, controversial or even completely creative. I am in several, even hundreds. I have a relationship with my coworkers, my friends, my insurance agent, and my dog. So whether or not you admit it on Facebook, you too are "In a Relationship". 10/24/2010

Of course we have our problems, we even sometimes experience the sting of small town growing pains, and we do have bugs; however, there is not one single negative that compares or in anyway discounts the charm, the grace, or the endearing low country atmosphere that surrounds Beautiful, Beaufort By The Sea. Some argue that we don't have true seasons. They obviously have never experienced our fall festivals, barefooted through one of our pumpkin patches, enjoyed "Pickin By The River", or simply took five minutes to notice the subtle changes in our sea grass. We most certainly do have seasons.     Maybe the temperature doesn't swing like moss from the trees (well not usually), but there are changes that gently notify each and everyone of us, that Fall is strolling right on through. Debuta... 10/23/2010

Beaufort is Once Again Ranked in the Top 25 Best Places to Retire! How exciting is this for our little town. It is no wonder though with all the culture, events, golfing, boating, fishing and much more that Beaufort has to offer. I have a lot of people that inquire about buying a second home in Beaufort or retiring in Beaufort. For such a small town the word seems to get around the entire country about how wonderful of a place to live, vacation and retire Beaufort is. Just the other day I had someone from Maryland sign up on my website and he replied to my e-mail saying that he had heard about Beaufort from a friend.     Take a look at the recent article in the Money Magazine declaring Beaufort once again as one of the Top 25 Best Places to Retire! Visit Beaufort House Hunters today to ... 10/22/2010

Jumpin' jellybeans, you mean there really is a candy Hall of Fame!?! Yes, there is, and the owner of one of Beaufort's best-known businesses is about to be inducted. The Beaufort Gazette has reported that Pat Green, owner of The Chocolate Tree, will be inducted into the International Candy Hall of Fame this weekend.  If you have neglected to visit the Chocolate Tree during previous visits to Beaufort, then you have missed out on one of Beaufort's bona fide institutions. Located along Carteret Street, right in the heart of Beaufort's Historic District, Green has been whipping up confections since 1980. At certain times, you can see the chocolate being made in the sidewalk window.  The success of the Chocolate Tree is quite a story indeed. According to the shop's website, www.thechocolate... 10/21/2010

I'm beginning to wonder if someone over at Money.Cnn.com has some real estate to sell in Beaufort, SC, 'cause it sure looks as if the website is trying to send folks our way. The website has practically become the marketing arm of the Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce. Since 2007, Beaufort has been featured by the website no fewer than three times, most recently in September as one of the 25 Best Places to Retire. Beaufort was also pegged as one of 6 Terrific Towns on the Water in 2008.  They are actually doing me and my colleagues in the real estate world a mega favor, because, as Realtors, we just look like a bunch of guys with an agenda whenever we start singing the praises of Beaufort and the surrounding Lowcountry. Money.Cnn.com also pegged Beaufort as a "contender" in 2007 as o... 10/19/2010

I love it when a new project, challenge, or idea gets me out of the bed bright and early. I enjoy seeing thoughts, vision, and collaborative efforts morph into reality! Or maybe I should say REALTY.   10/16/2010

To visit Battery Point is to take a trip back in time. Battery Point is one of Beaufort's real success stories of the past 15 years. The developer did everything right. A neo-traditional neighborhood, homes in Battery Point combine the look of early 20th Century Beaufort with all the modern amenities you expect from new homes. Battery Point is located minutes from Beaufort's Historic District, and has easy, easy access to shops, restaurants and area amenities. There are currently 22 homes available in Battery Point, via the Beaufort Mutliple Listing Service. Prices from the low $200s to just under $700,000, for waterfront homes. Many of the homes on Petigru Drive in Battery Point have access to private docks. There is also a community dock, and boat ramp, which allows residents to avoi... 10/15/2010

Yes, it is a challenging market! We work harder, smarter, more intently than we ever have; we are determined to help both sellers and buyers. We are constantly in search of ways to improve our day to day practices in order to give our clients the absolute best service as they so deserve. The third quarter statistics are in, and we are extremely proud. Thanks to the continued support of our clients, a positive attitude, and refusal to accept complacency; we are strong! It is a good day. 10/14/2010

Have you ever tried to explain something to a puppy? Or maybe have an intellectual conversation with a tree stump? Or possibly, you have found yourself offering a raft to a sinking ship only to have the ill-fated cruisers look away? There comes a point when the puppy resumes chewing your shoes, the stump politely refuses communication, the the &^%#$ boat sinks. It happens. It never ceases to amaze me at the sheer determination of others to find excuses, not reasons, for the success of the successful. It is obviously because of the successful person's connections, gender, hair style or maybe even the way they freaking eat their breakfast; it can't possibly be a credit to their hard work, determination, or intelligence. Exactly how much energy or effort does it require to conjure up this ... 10/13/2010

We like to call the "noise" whicn emanates from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort THE SOUND OF FREEDOM. The men and women roaring overhead in their F-18s are an intricate part of Beaufort's societal fabric, so we don't mind a fly-by now and then. On April 30 & May 1, there will be a lot of freedom on display, as Beaufort welcomes  the MCAS Beaufort Airshow 2011. Although still six months out, officials from MCAS Beaufort are already busy pushing the event, which should attract more than 100,000 visitors. In fact, we just received our Airshow flyers last week. If you have never attended our air show, it is worth the trip. It's both an opportunity to see our military base up close, and at the same time be entertained by some of the best pilots on the planet. You will want to defin... 10/12/2010

More and more I find colleagues struggling to define their worth in a virtual driven market. By the touch of a finger, buyers can get answers to questions instantly. Sellers can spend hours browsing the web for tips, suggestions, and ideas on how to market their very own home. After all, there is an answer and/or an application for every possible situation, scenario, and sale, right?  Find a Realtor. A breathing, speaking, sold-at-least-one-house, full time Realtor. He or she will help you decipher the truth from the traps. As fabulous as our world of instant info can be, as of 2010, computers lack experience and intuition. 10/12/2010

10/11/2010

Just a local as cast nets, shrimp burgers, and Parris Island Recruits!! Our real estate market is unique for many reason. Not only our we honored to have The Few, The Proud, we also have many coming from all over who can't wait to enjoy our slow southern life style. Our medical industry draws the very best in the profession and is constantly receiving honors! Seafarers find their sea legs just happen to be more comfy amid the ever changing marshlands and steady tides. It is important to remember that our real estate market is just as unique. Don't be encouraged, or otherwise overly disappointed by what the national pundits say. They just aren't here. This time of year we usually see a slight drop in traffic due to students going back to school, the weather is so amazing few can help spe... 10/11/2010

Fripp Island is 50 years old?? That snuck up on us, didn't it? As the city of Beaufort prepares for its tri-centennial celebration in 2011, little Fripp Island's Golden Jubilee was able to fly under the radar. Several hundred residents turned out Sunday to celebrate the occasion, as reported in the Beaufort Gazette. Fripp Island is quite literally the "end of the road." Jump on U.S. Highway 21 at any point in South Carolina, head east, and you will find Fripp Island. Easiest directions in the world.  The beauty of the Highway 21 commute is the way the water begins to break up the scenery once you get beyond Beaufort. Water begins to appear on either side of the road with greater frequency the further eastward you go. And then, you exit St. Helena Island and there is an explosion of wate... 10/11/2010

Many people know where Beaufort has been --  1) Second oldest city in South Carolina. 2) 300 years old next year.  3) Discovered by Europeans just a few decades after Columbus. 4) Home to the Parish Church of St. Helena, one of the most historic churches in the country. 5) Home to the Penn Center, one of the first schools founded for ex-slaves, during the Civil War. Beaufort has history galore. No doubt. But where will Beaufort, SC be in the future? That's a fun game to play, as our historic city tries to balance preservation and growth. On Sunday, Oct. 10, we have the opportunity to glimpse a few ideas of where Beaufort might be going. The Beaufort Three-Century Project will display 15 exhibits as part of "EXPO 2011 -- The Future Form of Historic Beaufort." The event will be held at th... 10/09/2010

Of course I am guilty. We all do it.  Even the most discerning email extraordinaire deletes emails that at first glance are seemingly less important than the other five million in our inbox. I just spent twenty minutes searching for the RainCamp Comes to Charlotte email. Thank goodness I found it. It joined my inbox yesterday while I was contemplating a new pair of boots. Again, we all do it. I had four hundred other things I should have been doing, but this is the temptation of having the world, even the retail world, at our fingertips. It had been a very long Thursday, and some days the only cure for a very long Thursday is new shoes. Call it fate, call it an intervention, call it whatever you like but at that very moment when those shiny new boots were about to virtually hop into my ... 10/08/2010