09/11/2008 Each morning I remind my son to have a good day, work hard and to be a friend and then I drop him off near his school and watch him cross the street with the help of a Crossing Guard. I started thinking about the roll of a Crossing Guard and how very important they are. So, this is my "Thank You" to Crossing Guards everywhere but especially in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. When I was in middle school I had to cross the street twice to get to school and at both intersections we were lucky enough to have a Crossing Guard. One was an ancient old man with wild white hair who was very friendly. He always had a smile and kept a watchful eye on our sometimes not so polite behaviors. The other was an ancient old woman who was always telling us to stand up straight and stop hunching.... 09/11/2008

Below is a report that compares the number of homes in each major price bracket that were sold from Jan-Aug of 2007 and 2008 in Mt. Pleasant SC.  As you can see most price brackets have dropped in the number of homes sold from last year. If you are a home owner in Mt. Pleasant and are considering selling, the most important decision you will make is determining the right Realtor and the right company to get your home sold in this very competitive buyer's market.  My job is to help people make good decisions in real estate.  Contact Michael Johnson at 843-817-5299 for a free personalized home consultation. If you are a buyer looking for a home in Mt. Pleasant, you can visit my website to perform a free home search.  Visit www.providingthelight.com or give me a call and we can schedule a ... 09/02/2008

RiverTowne Country Club is a 600-acre, 600+ unit riverfront residential country club development in a classic Lowcountry setting near beautiful and historical Charleston, SC.The lush natural beauty of the marshes and hammocks enhances the spectacular Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, surrounded by Horlbeck Creek and the beautiful Wando River.A mere twenty-five minute drive from Downtown Charleston, RiverTowne is a world away from the city, offering a wealth of amenities such as: a tennis club, clubhouse, swimming pool and many bike and nature trails.RiverTowne was carefully designed to recreate the feel of a peaceful, old-fashioned 'neighborhood' with tree-lined byways, common areas and parks that are ideal for picnicking, strolling and meeting the neighbors. This exclusive community... 08/26/2008

Today, driving by Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant SC, my best friend/assistant noticed a sign that had us immediately on the phone with my husband.  Larger than life - billboard sized to be exact - was a sign that stated that Boone Hall would be hosting a BBQ and Bluegrass festival that would feature Ralph Stanley & The Cliff Mountain Boys.  Ok, to be truthful I didn't know who this was until she said, "You know, that band that sings the song that your husband constantly watches on O' Brother Where Art Thou?"  Ok... now I knew exactly what she was talking about!  Apparently they are combining this with some serious barbeque... Now we are talking!!  Game on!  It's now scheduled tightly into my datebook!  Here's the day's itinerary below: Sunday, August 31st  - 10:30am - 8:30pm. 10:... 08/19/2008

We are holding the first "Open House" on this superb 5 bedroom, 2875 sq ft home which is in "Move In" condition. Situated in Planters Pointe community which features community pool, play park, tennis courts and cycle and walking trial. The community is zoned for Wando High, Cario Middle and Pinckney Elementary schools. The open House is scheduled for: Saturday 23rd August   12 noon till 3pmAlan LangstoneReal Estate AgentLangstone TeamCarolina One Real Estate1951 Clements Ferry RoadCharleston, South Carolina, 29492Work: 843-284-1932Mobile: 843-709-8123Fax: 843-202-8675alan@carolinaone.comwww.langstoneteam.com"Trust, Integrity & Service"Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this! 08/18/2008

Housing Market Statistics for the Charleston Tri County Area Graph #1 shows the inventory for the popular Mt. Pleasant area has tapered off some this Spring. Graph #2 shows that Mt. Pleasant has the most weekly showings of homes. While the growing Summerville - Ladson area  is becoming a popular place to live. If you cannot see these graphs or want further information, contact me at cwilliams@kwcharleston.com     08/05/2008

A better way to sell your home. Will my home really sell? Will it sell quickly? Can I get the money I need out it? Will I receive qualified representation? These are just a few of the questions you’ll probably have if you’re planning to sell your home . After all, putting your home on the market is a serious step. It’s natural to go a bout as efficiently and effectively as possibly. And it’s important to select a broker committed to serving you . A broker who sell your home quickly, for as much money as possible. That’s what The Williams Team Home Marketing Plan is all about. The Home Marketing Plan is an aggressive ste-by-step program that combines effecive, sensible home-marketing methos to generate maximum marekt exposure and sell your home successfully. For years, KELLER WILLIAMS ha... 08/05/2008

1. Are you a full-time professional real estate agent? How long have you worked full time in real estate? How long have you been representing buyers? What professional designations do you have? Knowing whether or not your agent practices full time can help you determine potential scheduling conflicts and his or her commitment to your transaction. As with any profession, the number of years a person has been in the business does not necessarily reflect the level of service you can expect, but it is a good starting point for your discussion. The same issue can apply to professional designations.   2. Do you have a personal assistant, team or staff to handle different parts of the purchase? What are their names and how will each of them help me in my transaction? How do I communicate with ... 08/05/2008

With preliminary numbers of residential units sold for July 2008 in from the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS (CTAR), it appears we may have hit or are within months of the bottom of the current housing market slump. With 680 reported residential units sold as of August 3, 2008, the total marks the lowest home sales figure in July since 1997 when 645 units sold. 31% decrease from June 2008 42% decrease from July 2007 January through July sales  followed the trend of a 33% decrease from the same time last year, if the trend continues through the end of 2008 a total of 8500 units would have been sold. A rollback to 2001 sales numbers of 8269 units sold. Will the trend continue? Four of the eleven years compared show a slight increase in August sales and then a gradual decrease t... 08/05/2008

I'm sure you've been asking yourself  "Should I buy or should I sell my home in this market?"    All real estate markets are local. Even here in the tri-county area we have different markets. Goose Creek and Moncks Corner the prices are holding as opposed to Mt Pleasant & Daniel Island where bargains can be found on every street corner.   Overall home sales have fallen as much as 33% in the first quarter as compared to the same time last year. In March of '07 1137 homes sold compared to 752 sold in March of '08. In the same time frame the median price of homes sold fell 6% from $211,000 to $198,000.   The downward trend continued through July 2008 with year to date (YTD) sales at 4640 units sold compared to 6931 units sold YTD 2007. A 33.1% decrease in activity over last year.   What do... 08/04/2008

HOW TO BUY A FORECLOSED HOME IN CHARLESTON  1. When you buy a foreclosed home, you're cashing in on a home someone was no longer able to pay for. Foreclosures are difficult--both to locate and to execute the transactions--but the potential to turn them over for a tidy profit may be there. Understand that foreclosure means that because a home owner has become unable to pay the mortgage, the lender takes back the property. The legal steps involved differ in each state.  2. Investigate the advantages. Since a bank or other lender wants to recover as  much of its investment as quickly as possible, foreclosed homes are often unloaded at significant discounts-- upwards of 30 percent or more and they want to move them in 30-45 days. The real estate listing agent will try to get you as much in... 07/26/2008

07/11/2008

If you do not know how Fred and Fan work please look below:    07/11/2008

  June 2008 No. homes for sale - 95 No. homes sold June - 6 No. homes sold January -June 2008 -31 Average Sales price - $949,109   I am proud to call I'On my home for the past 9 years.  It has only gotten better as the years have gone by.   To find out more about New Urban living in I'On. Email williamsSChomes@kw.com and check out my slide show at http://www.slideroll.com/slideshows/members/ccwill/ 07/07/2008

Because we are successful at marketing our services when we stage a home we find ourselves frequently doing multiple homes in a specific community.  One of Mt. Pleasant's premier neighborhoods, I'on,  has been a great source of business for us (as a company) and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work on such beautiful homes.  I thought I would share some of these beautiful homes with you.... (click on the street address to view a real estate show) 183 E. Shipyard, Pam Bishop (pbiship@carolinaone.com), Carolina One Real Estate UNDER CONTRACT 94 N. Shelmore, Chuck Avera (cavera@KWCharleston.com), Keller Williams Real Estate 142 N. Shelmore, Frazier Neal (frazierneal@aol.com), Keller Williams Realty 28 Sowell, Chuck Avera (cavera@KWCharleston.com), Keller Williams Real Estate SOLD... 07/02/2008

The ECEW Coffee Connection is July 3, 8:30 - 9:30 AM, at Biggby's Coffee off of Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Queensborough shopping center.  Great women's leads group.  Share w/ your clients! Check out website at www.ecewsc.com for more upcoming events including montly happy hours and educational events.   We are proud to announce our partnership w/ My Sister's House"  http://www.mysistershouse.org, a nonprofit organization that provides services, programs and resources to empower victims of domestic violence and their children to live free from abuse. 06/29/2008

I'On will be having it's annual 4th of July CelebratI'On! Parade starts at 9 am, kids and young at heart will decorate their bikes, golf carts etc and march throught the neighborhood The Band Blast will start at 6pm at the Amphitheater - featuring 'Heart and Soul' - FREE ADMISSION bring your lawn chairs and a cooler. Stay and watch the neighbors shoot off fireworks.  Truly the best free show in town! 06/29/2008

Mount Pleasant - Single Family Homes MonthYearMonthly SalesAvg List $Avg Sale $Avg DOMDiscountCurrent InventoryMonths Inventory June 2007 136 $516,755 $499,219 99.87 3.51% 1314 9.66 July 2007 101 $489,709 $469,354 102.09 4.33% 1324 13.10 August 2007 111 $541,434 $518,605 112.72 4.40% 1298 11.69 September 2007 74 $472,970 $456,967 109.97 3.50% 1273 17.20 October 2007 61 $496,819 $474,583 118.95 4.68% 1219 19.98 November 2007 62 $512,893 $484,155 134.46 5.93% 1210 19.51 December 2007 66 $464,061 $440,675 113.09 5.30% 1187 17.98 January 2008 79 $474,736 $451,482 140.63 5.15% 1067 13.50 February 2008 65 $535,795 $501,848 128.75 6.76% 1126 17.32 March 2008 69 $553,375 $522,313 130.68 5.94% 1168 16.92 April 2008 76 $520,332 $486,893 116.72 6.86% 1218 16.02 May 2008 107 $532,932 $505,564 146.7... 06/28/2008

What makes The Patriots Point 4th of July Blast so special? For starters their famous Flight Deck Fireworks. Where else in the southeastern USA can you see fireworks launched from the flight deck of a WWII aircraft carrier... the USS Yorktown. The Patriots Point 4th of July Blast starts at 4:00 pm with a fantastic food court, beer garden and terrific children's area called "The KidZone." Remember, the 4th falls on a Friday this year... kicking off a great weekend. As the sun starts to set center stage heats up with The East Coast Party Band... one of the Carolinas favorite show bands. Then at 9:30 pm a Charleston Harbor tradition comes to life; fireworks launched from the flight deck of one of America's most famous ships... USS YORKTOWN. The Patriots Point 4th of July Blast! 4:00 pm to ... 06/26/2008

Mount Pleasant is a beautiful place, and there are so many great reasons to make it your home, but here are a few little tidbits that you may not have already known. With almost 60,000 residents, Mount Pleasant is among the six most populated cities in all of South Carolina and is now similar in population to Greenville and Rock Hill.  Its population has grown by more than 400% since 1980. The first Cooper Bridge, the Grace Memorial, opened 80 years ago as a two-lane toll road.  It took almost 40 more years for its sister bridge, the Pearlman, to open. Only those Charleston residents wealthy enough to afford summer homes originally populated the "Old Village". Riverside, once an integral part of Mount Pleasant, was a primary black beach whose hayday began in 1930 and whose dance pavill... 06/23/2008