I rose early Christmas morning, and logged on to the computer. There was a familiar theme -- cold and snow throughout the Midwest and Northeast. I saw a lot of single digit temperatures this morning. I saw a lot of pictures of snow-covered cars and trees. I saw a lot of very cold-looking people. It almost seemed unfair that I was waking to a Christmas morning with temps in the 60s, and an expected high in the mid 70s. I rode into downtown Beaufort, SC, and captured the sun as it began its ascent over the Lowcountry. I posted the video on my website, www.ExploreBeaufortRealEstate.com. If you have suffered through a cold December, this is my Christmas card to you. It was a beautiful site, and I hope you find a little warmth in the beauty of our tranquil little town. Merry Christmas, stay ... 12/25/2008

it's more like a request. I was hoping for some feedback.One of my pet projects is my email newsletter. I sent out the first edition in months today. In fact, I haven't sent out an edition since getting involved with Active Rain. I would love some Active Rain feedback. If you have a spare minute in the next day or so, please visit www.ExploreBeaufortRealEstate.com, click on the red button to the left, that reads STRAWN REPORT, and see what you think.As I mentioned, any feedback, good or bad, is always appreciated. I value all of your opinions. If you have an extra second, I'd love to hear feedback on the website as well, which I recently re-did.You guys have a great day. As always, thanks for your time and consideration   12/23/2008

Eddie Van Halen once said that rock and roll returns to its guitar roots every decade or so. There are periods when lush orchestration and synthesizers seem to dominate the rock landscape, but sooner or later, everything comes back to the guitar. There are roots of successful real estate, as well.  I hope this downturn gets a lot of us back to these roots -- Farming, making phone calls, knocking on the door of FSBOs, getting the newsletter out, doing our continuing education. There was a period back in the peak years of 2004 and 2005 when I got away from these basics, even though these were the very things which built my business. I won't say I became complacent -- that's impossible with six kids, but I probably did begin to over-rely on repeat business and sphere of influence leads.  E... 12/22/2008

I have written several times about Berry Island, but I don't think that I have mentioned about Charlie's (the owner) delicious BREAKFAST!  He has some of the freshest ingredients and interesting dishes.  For example, he let me sample a new item; Jalapeno Bacon (not too hot though) that will be placed on a breakfast sandwich or a lunch BLT.  Also, Charlie makes home made ICE CREAM that is some of the best in Beaufort!  Here are just a sampling of some of his custom creations: Prince Of Tides (coffee ice cream w/ almonds and fudge swirl)Best of All Worlds (vanilla ice cream w/ oreo, chocolate chips, and fudge swirl)Escape from Monkey Island(vanilla ice cream w/ bananas, chocolate chips, and pecans) If you are in Beaufort South Carolina, make sure to stop by and see Charlie at Berry Island... 12/22/2008

The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, AKA Blue Angels, will be attending the 2009 Air Show at MCAS Beaufort.  The Air Show will attract hundreds of thousands of attendees during the 2 day FREE event.  The last Air Show with the Blue Angels was in April of 2007.  This was the Air Show where the Blue Angels lost one of their members in a firey crash in the Burton area (near Beaufort).  I remember....... Chris and I were working a booth at The Soft Shell Crab Festival in Port Royal.  I can remember looking over toward MCAS Beaufort and seeing a large cloud of pillowing smoke rising.  I looked at Chris and said "Something is wrong....something is really wrong..."  It was only a few minutes later that we found out just how wrong something had gone during the Air Show.  To me, this Air Show... 12/22/2008

In recent weeks, the prevailing gas prices in and around Beaufort, SC have been in the $1.50 to $1.55 per gallon range.  So, imagine my surprise last night when I passed a station advertising $1.72 per gallon on its  marquee. Now, we're not talking about some station out in the sticks. These guys were in town, not a mile on either side from stations selling gas at the prevailing rate. I couldn't help but chuckle when I imagined some of the rationale which might have gone into the decision to set the gas price so much higher than everybody else. Maybe you've experienced this kind of logic in recent months. "Let's give it a try. It can't hurt, can it? You never know what might happen." "Who knows, maybe some out-of-towner  who comes from a city with really expensive gas, will drive by, a... 12/21/2008

A Realtor called today for advice on a sticky negotiation. My friend was acting as a buyer's agent. It seems after this Realtor's initial written offer, the two agents fell into the trap of trying to speed things up by hashing the rest out verbally, and then putting it on paper once everything was agreed upon. Not difficult to figure how this drama unfolded. By the time the details were put "on paper," there were all kinds of disagreements about who had agreed to what. Verbal agreements are just a bad idea. It's not even a matter of not trusting the other party. There are just so many ways for something to be misunderstood, or misinterpreted.  A few years ago, while I was representing my mother, of all people, the buyer's agent in the deal verbally presented a counter offer to me, which... 12/20/2008

Amidst the hustle and bustle, the obligations, the rush and scurry, I chose to sit at home. It was beautiful last night in Beaufort. A warm and breezy 70 degrees, the stars were bright and clear, and the frogs were out in full force on caroling spree matched only by the crickets. My social calender has been so full the past few weeks my time to sit and relax has been slowly scheduled out of my life. Not tonight. Instead of packaging myself in yet ANOTHER cocktail dress, shoes NO woman without superior balance should EVER wear and a hair do that just isn't me, I decided to slip into my Beaufort Water Festival t-shirt, old running shorts, and my favorite pink flip-flops. I turned off my phone, shut down my laptop, turned on the Christmas lights, and made my way to my deck with my best fri... 12/20/2008

  A good friend offered to buy lunch today. Considering my comical financial situation, who am I to say no?   Andy is a very good friend, but he started out as a client. He is a 71-year-old former Marine who originally hailed from the midwest.   So why does he remind me of my  5-year-old daughter, who was born in China?   It was in November 2004, when Andy's wife, Nancy, called me. We had never met. She found me on the Internet. She said they were considering a move from Atlanta to Beaufort, and wondered if I might be available to show them property.   "Of course," I would have certainly said. "When are you planning to come?"    "Tomorrow," she answered, much to my, ahem, surprise.   What Nancy and Andy would not have known was that my wife, Jennifer, and I had returned the day before f... 12/19/2008

Beaufort South Carolina Real Estate Owners are able to challenge 2008 Property Taxes     With the 2008 Real Estate tax bills many Beaufort S.C. home owners are shocked by the new assessed value of their Beaufort homes. With the present decline in Beaufort property values many homeowners feel they are being taxed unfairly with regard to the actual value of their homes.   The Beaufort S.C. County tax assessor has set up a 3 step appeal process in which a Beaufort S.C. home owner can challenge the current Real Estate tax bill.   The property owner is however responsible for providing comparable data to challenge the assessment. Currently Greg Bennett the Broker in Charge of EXIT Real Estate of Beaufort is providing comparable Beaufort S.C. home sales data to property owners.   The Beaufort... 12/19/2008

Bay Street is our main artery through Historic Downtown Beaufort. Many spend their morning jogging, walking furry friends, or taking advantage of the always supreme photo opportunity.  Bay Street runs along side the Intracoastal Waterway and the views are always breath-taking.   This morning it wasn't just the view that were breath-taking. Smoke billowed through our quaint little town as fire consumed one of our downtown buildings. Beaufort is home to many heroes, this morning the Firefighters bravely fought to save the unsavable. For a complete account visit www.Beaufortgazette.com   12/19/2008

How much more can a person actually withstand!?!? Seriously. I am completely fed up with trying so hard to keep up with these two on a daily basis. Just recently have they become such a force on Active Rain and Localism. I pretty much had it all to myself before now. Basically, I had the playhouse all to myself and now, well, I am having to share my toys. Maria Skrip, what a fantastic lady. Not only does she write impeccable market reports but outside the rain you are hard pressed to find her without a smile. Now that Maria is playing in the rain, I can't help but read each time she posts. She teaches me something new about MY community every time she blogs. So much for thinking I knew everything. It will take some getting used to, but if I have to share, I am glad it is with Maria. Now... 12/19/2008

Amy Le of Chicago posted a fine blog about Realtor dos and don'ts. Although it was not the thrust of her blog, she mentioned a recent experience at an open house, where the host agent talked on the phone the ENTIRE time Amy and her client were in the home.  Technology is absolutely trashing America's sense of decorum and manners. I'll sit at sales meetings, and look over at agents fiddling with their Blackberries, oblivious to the ongoing discussions. I've seen agents, in recent years, surfing the net during meetings.  I've been at small meetings at which one of the participants sat there and checked stock reports on the computer, his eyes darting back and forth between the screen and the other participants around the conference table. Some people might call it multi-tasking, but, I'm ... 12/18/2008

As I write this my hands are shaking, my heart is racing, and if there were any tears left at all, they would pour. Some may not be able to relate but I feel that there are many who will.  Late last night I was awakened to my greatest fear. You see my best friend is my world. He has been by my side through thick and thin for thirteen years. His name is Jackson. He is my Cocker Spaniel. He sleeps with his head near mine as he has for thirteen years. Anytime he isn't feeling well he always nudges me as if to say, "Mom, I don't feel good." Well last night was different. He went completely stiff and gasped for air. I panicked. I jumped up, grabbed him and instinct took over. My first thought was he was choking. I opened his little mouth and tried desperately to remove anything that may be b... 12/18/2008

When an agent calls to show YOUR listing, how easy do you make it? Do you consider yourself to have an active role?As Realtors, we are generally more prepared for showings when we represent the buyers. It is almost second nature to be organized, prepared, and full of information. The past few months I have committed to pouring that same energy into assisting any Realtor who shows MY listings.   First, I set the appointment. Then I take the following additional steps: 1. When at all possible, I visit the agent's office with a package that contains: School information Seasonal photos of the home (to give the buyers an overall perspective on the neighborhood and property throughout the year. A list of any and all upgrades and or improvements made during the owners occupancy. A brief compar... 12/18/2008

12/17/2008

Sometimes, while showing property, an empty house can really speak to me. I am probably more prone to nostalgia than most, but I confess to pangs of sadness when coming across those tell-tale signs of days gone by. Maybe it's a forgotten, left-behind toy in the back yard, or a teenager's beaded closet door in an empty room, or the god-awful purple shag carpet that at one time lit up a young girl's face. These items often tell us that, not only have mom and dad and the kids left the house, they have moved on from a special time in their lives. I have six kids, ages 13 and under, and I am painfully aware that there will be a day when my wife, Jennifer, and I downsize. Maybe we will overlook a dirty, half-buried toy truck in the corner of the yard. Maybe a buyer's agent, or the next owner... 12/16/2008

I received an unusual call today.  There is an elderly couple moving to the Beaufort area in their RV.  They are wanting to buy a home site to place their RV on when they are in town. Until they find that perfect home site, they needed to find a place to live - an RV Park!  Well, I have to say that I really didn't know how many RV Parks we have in Beaufort, until I conducted the research for this couple!  Look at all of the options!!!!  Driftwood Apts & Campsite    16 Fiddlerville Cove         (843) 846-4360 Hunting Island State Park Hunting Island  (Beach) (843) 838-2011 Oaks at Point South RV Resort RR 1 Yemessee (843) 726-5728 Point South KOA Point South (800) 726-5733 Tuck In the Woods Campgrounds 22 Tuck In The Woods Ln- St. Helena (843) 838-2267 If you are looking for a RV Park or... 12/16/2008

The Festival of Trees benefited Friends of Caroline Hospice. Visitors strolled through decorated trees and wreaths created by members of the Beaufort community. This event has become a tradition of Beaufort's holiday season. Friends of Caroline Hospice provides its services free of charge to families in our community who have a loved one struggling with a life threatening illness. Festival of Trees is in its 20th year here in Beaufort! For all of your Beaufort South Carolina real estate needs, give Chris Skrip at RE/MAX Sea Island Realty  a call or visit him on the web at www.ChrisSkrip.com. 12/16/2008

  Sixteenth Century English statesman THOMAS MORE said that searching for errors in the Tyndale King James Bible was like searching for water in the ocean. I would imagine it's much easier to find errors on the Internet. Blogging is said to be the ultimate form of democracy. Everybody gets a chance to be heard. And that's the problem. Remember the old saying, "It must be true, because I read it in the newspaper." Well, it applies to blogging and Internet sites, which -- regardless of accuracy -- become reference points. People take stuff on the Internet as gospel.  Maybe I'm an old journalism curmudgeon, but at least the newspaper has a process, before something makes it into print. You didn't just walk into the newsroom, tap out a story, and then walk out, assured the piece would make ... 12/15/2008