...the ever returning question: shall I buy or continue to rent....  I am sure we all have considered the advantages of renting or owning a home. A mortgage can certainly be an uncomfortable obligation for a very long time, maybe 30 years. But rent payments, well, they are also always an obligation

Rental Property & Love  So, you have to relocate and decided to keep your home and rent it out because you think you will be back in a few years and plan to retire in the home you love ! My advise is, fall out of love !  And then hire a property manager who handles all tenant issues such as leases,

"Wow".... !! !! Yes that is what I say every time I drive into my neighborhood and turn right at Rifle Range and Myrick ! This area has changed so much just in the past year that it is almost hard to remember what it used to look like. This was one of the very view spots in Mount Pleasant where one

Charleston was at one time in history the home of pirates, lots of them ! And​ their ghosts and others, those are still living among us, in cemeteries, in houses, in hotels, in alley ways, in parks. Don't be afraid. Most of them are friendly. At night, you can hear them talk and laugh ! This is no j

Well, it's September 1st - we're half way through Hurricane Season!  When was the last time you evaluated your Homeowners Insurance?  It seems every part of our Beautiful Country can be subject to some type of severe weather conditions.  Living here in the LowCountry, especially along the coast, you

Charleston: history and beauty and colors !  There are a lot of historic homes d'town Charleston and our city is known for its beautiful architecture. The Charleston Preservation Society plays a great part in preserving our history and architecture and I am a proud member of this organization. One v

CHANGES in the neighborhood !  So, there is this very well established neighborhood called Harborgate Shores off Rifle Range Road. This neighborhood is marked with a simple sign. Turning here, one finds mostly ranch style brick homes, large yards, lots of trees and green space. A neighborhood probab

Some people prefer to buy land and build a home to fit their needs.  They may be a contractor, a builder or they know a friend who is involved with new construction.  Some people prefer to buy a home already built.  They can hang some blinds, move their belongings in and they're done!   There is mor

..and there was once NOTHING but a dumpster area right behind the gas station and fire department !  Today I stopped in awe at the corner of Ben Sawyer Blvd and Warrick !! This new neighborhood has gone up fast. And I must say, it is quite unique as the builder saved the trees and so the 12 building

Pocket neighborhoods A "pocket neighborhood" is a clustered groups of neighboring houses or apartments gathered around a shared open space — a garden courtyard, a pedestrian street, a series of joined backyards, or a reclaimed alley — all of which have a clear sense of territory and shared stewardsh

The Carolina Shag  - The South Carolina State dance "The Shag' is a partner dance done primarily to Beach Music. It is a dance recognized in national and international dance competitions held across the United States. A 1989 motion picture, “Shag,” starring Bridget Fonda, Phoebe Cates and Tyrone Pow

How to Choose a Home Builder Don't find just the right home to buy ? Building might be an option and to choose the right builder is crucial. Here are some tips to help you choose a builder. Make a List of Possible Builders Once you have thought about the type of home you want, you can create a list

One of Charleston's most popular events is Restaurant Week.  Charleston is the destination for world renowned food and master chefs. The participating restaurants have a set price between $20 and $40 for a 3 course meal.   Perhaps you'd like to try a top of the line steak house restaurant and know y

PlantationsWhat are plantations? Plantations can be defined as large farms in the colonies that used the enforced labor of slaves to harvest cotton, rice, sugar, tobacco and other farm produce for trade and export. Crops were planted on a large scale with usually just one major plant species growing

Stunning Cobblestone Street and Alleys My hometown Charleston, SC is an amazing place with a fascinating history. One of the many historic sites and features are the few remaining cobblestone streets. What is it about cobblestone streets and paths that take us to the past as we carefully navigate th

Who would have guessed  ?!   ...that there is a small new neighborhood behind Sea Island Shopping Plaza in Mount Pleasant ? I take Chuck Dawley Blvd daily on my way to work and had noticed a small sign announcing a new neighborhood. For weeks I drove by that sign thinking "oh, I should turn here and

September is a month most everyone in the Lowcountry has been waiting for...the official start to oyster season! You may have heard 'only eat oysters in a month with the letter R'.  You're sure to hear of oyster festivals happening all over from now until April.   Many people have their own oyster p

Fall is here and soon the holiday season is upon us. While that brings with it a lot of joy and excitement – it also brings with the most dreaded season for landlords to fill their units. Simply put – people don’t like to move between Thanksgiving and the New Year so renting property can be both dif

 MOJA  FESTIVAL  Charleston SC   Sept. 29 - Oct 10, 2016  The year 2016 marks Charleston’s 33rd annual MOJA Arts Festival: A Celebration of African-American and Caribbean Arts. Selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for many years, the MOJA Arts Festival has an exciting lin

Whether you're visiting Charleston or if you're lucky enough to live here, there is always something to do!  You will have to mark your calendar for the events you'd like to attend.  There are some weekends with so much going on unfortunately, you simply 'can't do it all'.   There are Festivals: Moj