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Beaufort, SC Real Estate News

By Chris & Maria Skrip, Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Sun City SC
(RE/MAX 1st Advantage)
No (thank goodness!).  There was a very interesting article in The Beaufort Gazette today about the sink holes appearing in Beaufort's Waterfront Park.  The City of Beaufort hired a company based out of Charleston to conduct the investigation to determine what is happening to our park.  WPC Engineering, Environmental & Constructioin Services ruled that separation of concrete panels as the likely source causing the sinkholes. The sinkholes have been temporarily repaired by placing soil in the sinkholes, but this will only last about 4 months.  Once the soil was placed in the sinkholes, they replaced the walkway sections, but again this is only a temporary fix.  The City is looking at conducting a grout project that should permanently correct the problem.  Our Waterfront Park is the cente...
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By Sharon Terrazas
(Advanced Real Estate Company)
  Well, the day eventually came.  We were notified by the Navy 30 days ago that my husband no longer had a job at Naval Hospital Beaufort.  He had been given orders to report at Camp Lejeune, NC by month end.  Well, today he left to report to his new duty station.  We have two years left of our obligation and I am counting down the days.  Well today is a really hard day for me as I am not only a single mom of two little boys, but also because my best friend will not be here with me every day.  Why did we not go with him you ask?  Well for starters I own my real estate company and have over $300,000 invested in this company.  Secondly, we owe more money on our house than we can reasonable sell it for right now.  There are also 5 other homes for sale on my street currently and they are al...
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
I am so excited (my fingers can barely keep up) to say that my new venture, NEAT FREAKS, is on the verge of opening. For those of you that haven't heard me chatter on endlessly about my new company, it is a cleaning service. A cleaning service that goes a bit further and gives me something to truly smile about each day!   It was an idea born of heartache...   I spend hours on end, as  a Realtor, listening to single moms pour their devoted hearts out. These are professional women who sincerely try to put money back for a home, their child's future, and invest wisely to protect their families. One job often doesn't provide them with the cash flow to build funds for anything other than day to day expenses. So I would watch them try desperately to juggle day care, day job hours, night shif...
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By Scott Bingham, www.BeaufortHomeNews.com
(BeaufortHomeTeam / Ballenger Realty)
For the first time this year, the greater Beaufort area has over 10% of the available inventory of homes under contract!! Yeah!!!!!  As of Monday the 12th, there were 925 houses for sale (actually houses, new homes, mobile homes, and condos) for sale and there were 96 under contract. These stats do not include Saint Helena, Dataw, Fripp, and Harbor Islands and the Sheldon and more northern areas.  They do include Beaufort, Port Royal, Burton, and Lady's Island.  That is where 90% of my business is and where probably 85% of the MLS business is. This is a good sign, and it should be a shove to those who have been waiting to buy.  I will write more on this later, but the only way to know you are at the bottom of a cycle is when it starts heading back up.  Of course, then you've missed the ...
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By Sharon Terrazas
(Advanced Real Estate Company)
  Friday, we said goodbye to Lt. Col. Michael Orr who is the outgoing commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251.  He relinquished his command over to Lt. Col. Peter D. Ponte. What I find so fascinating about his story is that his father was also a squadron commander here in Beaufort from 1973-1975.  I just wanted to thank you so much Lt. Col. Orr for guiding the Marines and Sailors under your command safely for the past two years.  We wish you lots of luck at Naval War College.  Fair winds and following seas to the Orr family.  We hope to see you back in Beaufort again soon.       
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By Sharon Terrazas
(Advanced Real Estate Company)
Today is a great day to honor a special woman in your life.  Hope Haven of the Lowcountry is having their annual fund raiser to raise funds for their children's advocacy group and rape crises center.  Thousands of stargazer lilies will float down the Okatie River in memory or in honor of special women. The cost per lilly is $10.00 and all funds raised go towards their efforts protecting children in the Lowcountry.  This year they aim to raise $25,000.  The ceremony and brunch will take place at Berkely Hall Clubhouse in Bluffton, SC.  I am proud to say that the Junior Service League of Beaufort is helping to make this event possible.  You can find out more information about this amazing event or Hope Haven here.   
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By Sharon Terrazas
(Advanced Real Estate Company)
The Professional Real Estate Team of Larry Chase and Christy Diller is joining forces with Advanced Real Estate Company of Beaufort.  "We are excited to join a technologically innovative, young, aggressive real estate company that will allow us to continue to serve our clients and friends and exceed your expectations", says Christy Diller   They invite you to visit their new office located at 27 Tidewatch Circle across from Lady's Island Middle School on Sea Island Parkway.  They can be reached online at www.wesellbeaufort.com or call them at (843)525-1292.  MORE TO COME ABOUT THIS EXCITING TRANSITION...STAY TUNED AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOYALTY AND SUPPORT!!!
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By Sonnie Torrey
(Lowcountry Real Estate)
Welcome to beautiful Beaufort by the sea!  The weather is wonderful and life in the lowcountry will add years to your life!  If you haven't visited this historical area surrounded by the intracoastal waterway, filled with antebellum homes, moss filled live oaks, and wrought-iron gates wrapped with sweet smelling jasmine, you may want to give it a try.   We call it the lowcountry but most people call it the "slow country".  Voted best small Southern town in 2006, one of many national recognitions we have received.  If you haven't set your summer destination yet, you may want to try Beaufort, SC.
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By Sharon Terrazas
(Advanced Real Estate Company)
Is the market in Northern Beaufort County dead or barely breathing?  I say it is alive and stable.  In many parts of the country and even in the low country, there are those that say the real estate market is horrible and nothing is selling.  We are very fortunate that Beaufort is a destination and that we do not only rely on the military or one industry to buy homes.  We have military buyers, but we also have retirees or second home purchasers.  We have professionals, we have medical personnel, and we have students.  All of these types of buyers contribute to a varied buyer who is looking to buy.  According to the Beaufort County MLS, in the past 7 days alone, there are 182 listings that are under contract pending to close.  There are 76 new listings and 19 listings closed within the l...
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
It is another exquisite Lowcountry morning here in beautiful Beaufort by the sea. In the midst of all things bizarre in our world, there is peace in my little paradise. I am so fortunate to wake to such a content display of mother nature. I pause (which is a rare thing) to thank God for sending me a reminder of what is important.Fumbling with my coffee, my best friends leash, and my cell phone, I walk to my back yard.Eyes focused on the task at hand, I almost missed the most amazing sight. Captain Jack (my best friend and four legged wonder) sat still as could be, another rare thing. I tugged  at his leash and he would have none of it!I look less than 10 yards in front of me, and there they stood. Momma, Daddy, and three baby Canadian Geese. As a Mississippi girl, I am quite familiar wi...
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
For the past two weeks this is how we measure up. UNDER CONTRACT20 Homes$269,950 Median Asking Price126 Average Days on the MarketLeast Expensive -- $123,900Most Expensive -- $1,399,000 SOLD AND CLOSED20 Homes$216,450 Median Sales Price 162 Average Days on the MarketLeast Expensive -- $122,500Most Expensive -- $565,000 For more information and statistics regarding the local market visit my website www.beauforttime.com.
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
I am happy. My seller is happy. The buyer is thrilled.It still happens, even in a difficult market.My seller worked so hard. She was a real trooper, always making sure the home was in showing condition, no easy feat with a newborn AND a toddler. This past weekend we got TWO offers on the same day. Yep...multiple offers. WOW.I am proud of myself. That is ok to say right? I worked really hard to make sure this home got premium exposure. I told every agent that I spoke to what a great property it was!It paid off. The home was on the market just a little over 3 months...not bad in an area where the average is about 6.Sellers and Listing Agents....Keep pushing forward. It isn't an impossible market...just a wee bit challenging.
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By Jon Miller
(United Country-Marshland Realty)
Your Colonial Structures Cedar Log Homes dealers for Beaufort County. Jon & Linda Miller1107 Otter CircleBeaufort, SC  29902843-812-4888843-812-5888jonjmiller@charter.nethttp://www.colonialstructures.com/Most energy efficient of all wood available • Lifetime warranty against termites and decayPrice for all budgets • Many plans available, or we'll use your planGuaranteed delivery of Log kit package in 30 daysWe are licensed South Carolina real estate agents and can help you with your land purchases as well.  
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
So here we are late in April and already my sea legs are shaking. I can almost smell the diesel, the saltwater, and suntan oil....what a glorious recipe for summer!Here in Beaufort there is a phenomenon known as the sandbar. We are fortunate to be surrounded by water, we can even go to the beach without leaving town...but there isn't anything quite as locally renowned as the sandbar!Even though our water is still a bit cold (cold for us means below 70 degrees) the die hards are already anchoring up. So what is the Sand Bar?? Well some may argue that it is a way of life, not a location. To me it means gathering friends (human and kanine), stocking up on Fried Chicken (Publix will be happy to help you with that), boiled peanuts, possibly a cold one or two and spending the day tied up with...
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
If the walls of our cars could talk.... I guess by now it is pretty obvious to most that I am a wee bit protective and maybe even slightly neurotic of my precious (yep I said "my" so maybe even a little egocentristic) little town by the sea. Beaufort has meant so much to me in so many ways.  I first came to Beaufort solely based on a conversation I overheard in an emergency room.  I vaguely recall the injury most likely one of my slip, trip, bump-n bruise days no doubt. Emergency rooms are not the best places for private conversations or who knows maybe I was just blatantly eaves dropping.  The nurse spoke of a place she had recently visited that she truly believed was "spiritually magical". At the young age of 21, that sounded good to me! I packed up my prize position, Captain Jack (my...
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
Have you decided that you're ready to buy a home? Are you ready to look at homes? You might want to have your wish list handy and take notes as you look at different homes. If you haven't yet made a list, here's an idea of some of the things to look for.Do you want a single-family home or a condominium or a townhouse? A single-family home gives you more privacy, but more responsibility too. A condominium may be more affordable and include amenities, such as a community workout center or swimming pool, but requires you to help pay community costs and make community decisions.Here are some ideas of what to include in your wish list:Square footageNumber of bedroomsNumber of bathsGarage sizeLot sizeAir conditioningFireplaceCable TVStorage spaceEnergy efficientPool/jacuzziBuying your home is...
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By Sharon Terrazas
(Advanced Real Estate Company)
I had two listing appointments over the weekend that had me pleasantly surprised.  Usually, when I visit a seller's home, I go room by room suggesting changes that they can make to improve the way their home is viewed by potential buyers.  Sometimes this advice falls on deaf ears or leaves sellers wondering why this is even important.  I was pleasantly relieved that both of these potential clients seemed to be keenly aware of the necessity of certain staging tricks to help sell their home. With the proliferation of HGTV shows that focus on home buying and selling I guess I should not be so surprised.  I am writing this blog entry to help those who are wondering what to do to prepare their homes for sale.  1) Get a storage unit!!!!!  You want to maximize floor space in your home.  Buyers...
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
Oh Goodie Goodie, I can almost taste it now! A cold beer, and all sorts of crab delights(pronounced DEEEEEEEEEEEE- lites)The town of Port Royal (one of my favorites)is having its annual Softshell Crab Festival on April 19 from 12-5. Good music, awesome people and don't forget the main attraction......SOFTSHELL CRABS:) So pack your flip-flops, bring the kids, and the dog and come on down, over, up or across..I will try and save you a good seat:)Stage Schedule:Noon - 1 Dean St Hillaire and Craig Washington - Island music & reggae1:30 - 2:30 Beaufort Shag Club3 - 5 The Showmen from Virginia Beach, Virginiaoriginal hits include - Let It Stand, Sweet Beach Music andShaggin' the Night Away    
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
Greetings Fellow Rainers.....Sorry, I have been a bit dry lately. No dancing, singing, or blogging in the rain. Why? Well....I have several excuses: 1. I have been busy (is that really an excuse?) 2. I actually took a vacation (a real bona-fide vacation) 3. I ripped out my bathroom and forgot how to put it back together.  I have to admit, there is certain validity to being a disciplined blogger as it relates to productivity. I found that on the days I give the rain it's well deserved attention, I am more focused, better aware of the current events that effect our market, and overall a better agent. So...I guess Karma got around to me, for briefly coming in out of the rain. The sun is nice, I admit....but now my face is peeling off. Apparently SPF 30 isn't enough?!? So I am back to playi...
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By Cherimie Crane
(Cherimie Crane & Associates)
I hope you are enjoying this gentle beginning to Spring. The showers are prepping our Azaleas for a wonderful season! I would like to inform you of a new venture. After many conversations with clients, friends, and family regarding how difficult it can be for single moms to make ends meet much less put money aside for the future of their children, I have decided to open a new business.   As a Realtor, I have been asked countless times for a referral for an honest, dependable, economical cleaning service. I have had the pleasure of hiring a few in the past but this particular industry seems to have significant turnover and quite frankly you may never know who will be coming in to your home.  After months of careful research and extensive interviewing, I have decided to open Beaufort Neat...
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