Many home owners are like voters.  In the run-up to the 2008 Congressional elections, the nationwide approval rating for the U.S. Congress sunk into single digits. I don't know if that was an historic low, but I hate to think we've ever had a Congress whose approval rating was less than 9 percent.  And, yet, on Nov. 4, more than 93 percent of U.S. Congressman and Senators running for re-election prevailed in their individual elections. In other words,  "Everyone else's Congressman is a bum......except mine." This mentality can apply to homeowners, as well. A lot of you agents may have already seen the new 3rd Quarter Zillow study, which reveals that Americans overwhelming acknowledge the real estate downturn.   Many just don't think it applies to them.  In fact, 49 percent of American ... 11/19/2008

This will be a difficult post for me, emotions high and wounds still very much open. Beaufort is my home, but I was born and raised near the coast of Mississippi. As all southern women, my roots are as strong and deep as those of the sweet gum trees that line the streets. There is an unmistakable, irreplaceable, pride that simply comes standard with a birth certificate signed in the state of Mississippi. I am sitting in the Ole Brook library checking my email (parents still have dial up) and the water stained carpet, the missing ceiling tiles, and the diminished volume of children's books stings as if a hornet had just made breakfast out of my heart. Katrina left her mark. Everywhere. It seems just like yesterday that I was searching for my family, friends, any semblance of all that I h... 11/17/2008

 Beaufort SC Real Estate Company to hold Web Strategy Training   Exit Realty of Beaufort South Carolina will hold a Strategic Training for its Real Estate Professionals Thursday November 20th on the rapid changes occurring on the Internet and how Blogging has become crucial to the dissemination of relevant local information. Although the media keeps viewing Real Estate as a national event its ramifications are local and varied... the old adage that Real Estate is Local remains not only true it keeps getting reinforced by the demands of the public; Beaufort Real Estate Professionals must gear their expertise and translate it online in an effective and organic fashion. Key Yessaad of Real Estate Web Trainer LLC will lead the 4-hour Seminar working closely with Greg Bennett, the Broker / O... 11/17/2008

My web side has had more facelifts over the past year than Cher and Joan Rivers combined. Gary Busey seems downright "au naturale" compared to my site. Like Jennifer Grey, of Dirty Dancing and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, my website this morning looks nothing like it did yesterday. And when I say "nothing," I mean nothing. I wish I could I had saved the "before" pictures. That way I could have done a before and after feature, like the National Enquirer does with it's celebrity plastic surgery photos. Here's Michelle Pfeiffer before the knife, and here's Michelle Pfeiffer after the knife. "Here's my website before the redo, and here's my website after the redo." The good news about a bad website redo, though, is that it's a lot easier to fix than a bad nose job. There is definitely a lot to... 11/16/2008

Old Man Winter (kind of) paid a visit to Beaufort, SC last night. Balmy weather turned chilly yesterday after the passage of a storm system through the area. It's clear and cool, wind chill of about 40 right now. So it looks like whatever pushed that rain out of the way yesterday is going to give us a very pleasant autumn day in Beaufort. A Realtor friend of mine in Eerie, PA was anticipating show up that way. Definitely a matter of perspective. We've seen snow twice since we moved here in 1996. If you ever talk to a Beaufort "old timer," tell them about the snow storm of 1989, when the Lowcountry got blanketed. Just for the record, I was living in south Florida (Hollywood, to be exact) when it snowed in Miami, on January 19, 1977. Yes, it snowed in Miami, more than 30 years ago. Now, I... 11/16/2008

What in the world was life like before Wi-Fi became ubiquitous? Here I am, manning Lowcountry's real estate booth at Beaufort's Military Appreciation Day, and I can flip open my Mac and pickup Wi-Fi. Who woulda thunk it 5 years ago? We've got a band jamming in the parking lot, and a clown entertaining inside. The event, of course, coincides with the 233rd birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. The Marines are a huge part of the fabric of Beaufort. They are just huge in this community. Beaufort would not be the same without them. The last week and a half has really been a neat spectacle, as the Corps celebrates its founding, back in 1755. Last week, I saw  Marines and their spouses, dressed to the nines, going into restaurants on Bay Street, before heading over to the ball. In addition to t... 11/15/2008

With Thanksgiving knocking on our doors, it is imperative we look around us and count our many blessings. Yes, it has been a difficult year. That statement alone is a confirmation that we have and will see better days. Unfortunately it is somewhat simpler and often more popular to focus on the negative. Your outlook will drive your thoughts and your thoughts will drive your actions. And actions, well that always leads to something... If you are trying to sell your home focus on the positives. Do everything within your power to fill your home with holiday cheer and an ambiance of hope. FIVE EASY HOLIDAY FACE LIFTS FOR THE LISTED HOME: 1. It only makes SCENTS! Cinnamon, vanilla, spice, and old fashioned apple pie, are absolute favorites the holidays. It doesn't cost much to boil a cinnamo... 11/13/2008

Year of 2008 Date 01/01/08 through 11/13/08:   LIST PRICE: SOLD PRICE: DOM: HIGH LOW AVERAGE MEDIAN TOTAL PRICE LISTING COUNT $2,990,000 $43,900 $317,200 $237,000 $158,917,243 501 $2,650,000 $43,100 $299,742 $225,000 $150,171,010 985 0 210 153 Well it is that time of the year when you start reflecting on the year of 2008 and focusing in on your real estate career for 2009.  Looking at Beaufort South Carolina Single Family Home Sales for 2008 from 01/01/08 through today, we have a median home price of $225,000 with 153 median days on the market.  There was a historical home in Old Point that sold for $2,650,000 earlier in the year, so it makes our sold high price look great; however, our low sold price came in at $43,100 for a foreclosure on Saint Helena Island.  To completely evaluate m... 11/13/2008

As many of you know, I travel for my job and love to listen to audio books on CD.  I have found the most wonderful program through Cracker Barrel  restaurants.  You can 'rent' audio books on CD.  When you first go into a Cracker Barrel, you pick out your audio book and pay full retail.  Then keep the book, listen to it while traveling, return it within a few days/weeks, and receive a credit for the retail price that you paid minus the weekly rental charge.  My most recent listening experience was Mary Kay Andrews, Deep Dish.  The book is a work of fiction with the characters based in Georgia, so of course that attracted me to the book.  I am originally from Monroe, Georgia, which is about 20 minutes west of Athens, Georgia.  I have read several of Mary Kay Andrews books including, Savan... 11/13/2008

Have you ever eaten Pork Steak?? Not Pork Chops, not steak, Pork Steak?? Please don't ask me to explain exactly what it is, because I can't. I can say I have eaten it though. Last night I was invited out to beautiful Fripp Island to meet a crew from Fox Sports Midwest that was filming a golf segment. They had worked hard all day long with the Fripp Island Golf Pro's filming, touring, and testing golf equipment. They were such a jolly crew, having traveled all the way from St. Louis, they were full of energy and excited to share a bit of their home town. Before dinner, we talked about Beaufort. Not the typical banter regarding population, politics or people..but the important things like shrimping, making grits, and well golf. I got an extensive history lesson on Pork Steak. It was neat ... 11/13/2008

I met with two buyers today. They were separate parties looking at different properties. One of the fun things about real estate is the opportunity to work with a variety of people. Trust me when I tell you It is never dull.Buyer A is considering an investment property in the Beaufort Historic District, while Buyer B is thinking about a non-historic home, which he and his family would live in. Buyer A would be a cash transaction, while Buyer B would involve financing.Although these folks are going in totally different directions, they have something in common. I would strongly encourage each party to"do the due."The "due" is due diligence, and it needs to be done prior to settlement.Proper due diligence could involve making sure a boat dock can be constructed on that beautiful, tidal cr... 11/12/2008

  Sometimes, its tough to keep a sense of humor in tough economic times. The news hasn't been good lately.  Let me give you a reason to feel better about your particular situation, as dire as it may seem. Think about these numbers:  1700 (4).... 2700 (5)...... 2300 (5)...... 4000 (7)........4000 (7)......... 900 (8) It's not a logic test. You're not being asked to figure out the next set of numbers in the sequence. The emboldened, italicized numbers are the square footage of each house my family has lived in since moving to Beaufort, SC in 1996. The numbers in parenthesis are the number of people in our household at the time of each move. For example, there were two parents and two kids (four family members in all, for you non-math majors) in 1996, when we moved into a 1700-square-foot ... 11/12/2008

This morning began as most others, coffee in hand, best friend in tow. I am walking upstairs to my office only half awake, the other half wondering what exactly motivated me to wake up at this hour. One familiar click and the day has officially begun.   Good Morning, Outlook.  I casually skim over my inbox for anything unusual..... KENYA!!?!?!? Ok, I prepare myself to reject an offer to send someone thousands of dollars as I assume it is junk mail.  (Isn't that horrible?) Wait....This is a real email. From a real person, all the way from Nairobi, Kenya. I continue to read the sweetest email I have received in a while. Kim, took the time to write me!!!   She had read a blog of mine and it just so happened that she was feeling a little homesick the day she came across Active Rain. My post... 11/10/2008

It takes several hours to get to the gulf stream from Port Royal Sound, but the fishing is fantastic.  I wanted to share some photos from one of Chris' most recent fishing trips to "The Stream". Real men do like pink polka-dots!  Pictured is Lenny Andrews, Owner of Hawkeye Home Inspections here in Beaufort.  Yes, he will probably kill me for putting this picture on the blog! HA! HA! Nice dolphin (Mahi) caught off shore in Beaufort South Carolina. Mike Sackman  of RE/MAX Sea Island Realty  showing off the catch of the day at Port Royal Landing Marina. Mike Sackman is a licensed captain, a master diver, and a real estate Broker. Let's go fishing!  Give Mike a call for details at 843-476-1044.     11/10/2008

I am so proud! Not just of my beautiful little town, but of one of my very first clients. Many years ago, I met a wonderful couple, Jenny and J.W Rone. I was fairly new in the Real Estate community but they chose me. I found them the perfect home and our friendship grew. I had no idea I had a small hand in bringing such creative, innovative, and positive people to Beaufort, South Carolina. Over the years, the Rones have grown the Arts community by leaps and bounds. Their influence is felt in so many ways all over Beaufort County. The most recent is AMERICAN STYLE MAGAZINE just announced Beaufort, SC as one of America's Top Small ART Towns. Just another one of the many reasons to visit and stay in Beaufort, SC.   11/09/2008

There are no doubt some spectacular stretches of highway across America.Anyone who has ever traveled on U.S. Highway 21, which will take you from downtown Beaufort to Fripp Island, might agree that this 20-mile stretch is one of the truly fantastic and interesting drives on the East Coast. On this stretch of road you will pass a fish company, complete with a fleet of shrimp boats which seem to float at roadside.You will pass through Frogmore on St. Helena Island, where some of the first slaves freed during the Civil War were educated, at nearby, historic Penn Center.You will pass a shrimp "shack," which you do not want to miss if you can help it.You will pass through Hunting Island State Park, the most visited in South Carolina's park system.And, the scenery along the way, is spectacul... 11/09/2008

Published Thu, Nov 6, 2008 12:00 AMBy NATHAN GILLngill@beaufortgazette.com843-986-5532 The Beaufort Redevelopment Commission hopes that a state grant application could snowball into more affordable housing for Beaufort.But members haven't figured out the particulars, they just know that the application is due today.At its Thursday meeting, the commission decided to apply for $500,000 through South Carolina's Housing Action Partnership Program, which helps finance mixed-use housing developments. If the grant is approved, the commission is considering a partnership with the Beaufort Housing Authority.However, neither group knows exactly what the money would be spent on, should they decide to accept the grant. Commission members wanted to complete a more thorough review of the grant's term... 11/08/2008

Here is the recipe for our world famous Beaufort South Carolina Frogmore Stew AKA Low Country Boil - Enjoy! Ingredients: 6 quarts water, 3/4 cup Old Bay Seasoning, 2 pounds new red potatoes, 2 pounds smoked sausage links, cut into 1 inch pieces, 12 ears corn - husked, cleaned and quartered, 5 pounds large fresh shrimp, unpeeled (you can't have too many shrimp) Directions: Bring water and Old Bay Seasoning to boil in a large stockpot. Add potatoes and cook for 15 minutes. Add sausage and cook for 5 minutes more. Add corn and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in the shrimp and cook until shrimp are pink, about 5 minutes. Drain immediately and serve. No special serving dish required - just dump it out on some newspaper for easy clean up .or. onto a shallow serving bowl/platter. Notice this ... 11/08/2008

RE/MAX Sea Island Realty in Beaufort South Carolina hosted their November monthly Mix and Mingle on the evening of the 6th.  This is a monthly client appreciation event sponsored monthly by one local business.  For the month of November, Beaufort Mortgage sponsored the event by providing delicious food from Carolina Wings in Port Royal, South Carolina. We had the tents set up to cover the food in case of bad weather, but we could not have ordered a more perfect evening.  There were client arriving in shorts and short sleeved shirts.  I even saw the flip flops come back out! Beaufort Mortgage provided the food for our November Mix and Mingle.  Pictured from left to right are, Chuck at Beaufort Mortgage, Mary at RE/MAX Sea Island Realty, Renee at Beaufort Mortgage, and Pam at Homes of Bea... 11/07/2008

  It was a bit cloudy, a little windy, and cold, well cold for Beaufort that is, a breezy 65 degrees. I was persuaded out into this chilly venture by the promise of a great school of Bass.  The offer was so tempting, a so beautifully described in vivid detail that any woman with a passion for the thrill of the catch would certainly rearrange her entire day! We had to leave at dead low tide. Which meant no motor...which meant someone was going to have to pole us to this new found treasure.... As you can see....that someone was not me:).   The captain and I feel our talents are more of a supervisory nature.   So as we were poled out into the Morgan River, Captain Jack and I watched the clouds pass, the pelicans swoop, the egrets play, and the dolphins splash around close to the edge of th... 11/06/2008