Friday
Jul022010
Charleston Your Home - Realtor® Roundup
Friday, July 2, 2010 at 08:57PM Join us as we take a light-hearted look at recruiting Realtors®, and unveil our Realtor Roundup campaign.
Friday, July 2, 2010 at 08:57PM Thursday
Jul012010
Charleston Your Home on Lowcountry Live
Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 10:47AM Thanks to everyone at Lowcountry Live for having us on to discuss our Realtor Round-Up campaign.
Tuesday
Jun152010
CYH REALTOR® Round Up!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 05:14PM We’re Hosting a Realtor Round-up!
You heard us right! We’re looking to wrangle up a few good REALTORS®, but instead of adding to the glut of emails local agents receive daily citing no fees, lots of numbers and how great it is to work for FILL IN THE NAME agency, we thought we’d do something a little different (Hint: It involves an iPad. Yep, keep reading!)
Here at Charleston Your Home, we like to stand apart and are looking for some agents who follow that philosophy. Technology has always been at the top of our list and that’s why we’re active on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Flickr and have one of the best agent websites in the country (we even won an award saying so!). So if you know the difference between a “tweet” and “poke,” we want you!
From June 15-August 31, we’re hosting a Realtor Roundup campaign where we’ll be accepting agent applications solely via Twitter (direct message us a link to your resume or to your LinkedIn profile) and will be giving any agent who signs with us during that time an iPad upon closing of their first $250,000 transaction*. Here’s a great post, by the way, about the benefits of iPads for Realtors.
But it’s about more than an iPad. At Charleston Your Home, we offer a fair commission split (70/30), no monthly fees and most importantly, we give you the support you need to be successful selling homes, without nickel and diming you to death for marketing and other services.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming YouTube video that takes a light-hearted look at agencies’ attempts to recruit realtors. We hope you’ll get a chuckle.
Oh, and here are all the fine details about the promotion:
*$250,000 transaction must be contracted and closed within the first 6 months of joining CYH
16GB iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G – Agents are responsible for signing up and paying for their own monthly AT&T Data Plans.
So, if you’re tech savvy and looking for a new place to call home, we hope you’ll consider Charleston Your Home. Find us on Twitter @Charlestonism. We’re looking forward to “tweeting” you!
Saturday
May082010
Food for Thought - Introducing Shoestring Mom
Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 09:25AM 
As a single mother of two, I’ve had to live on a budget since my divorce back in 2000. Many of my friends and family have asked how I’ve been able to consistently stay on budget, and cook such delicious and nutritious meals for my family. It’s through their prodding that I’ve decided to write a monthly column about life, and how to eat well on a shoestring budget.
To tell you the truth, at first the thought of living on a budget was frightening. It felt like I was being asked to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Eating out was obviously no longer an option, and I was now faced with the daunting task of cooking every night for my children, mother and myself.
What was I going to do? Was I going to let us starve just because I didn’t like cooking or cleaning up the mess involved in creating a family meal? I thought long and hard, and even asked for some divine intervention.
Hoping to get inspiration, I put one foot in front of the other, and drove myself to my local grocery store, but as I walked aisle after aisle absolutely nothing came to mind, so I left the store empty handed. Not to be deterred I decided to take a different tactic. I sat down with pen and paper and began writing out all the meals for an entire week.
I made sure that each meal included a protein, a carbohydrate and vegetable, and was enough food to feed four people. Not only did the meal have to feed four very hungry mouths but I also had to accomplish it on a $5 - $10.00 budget per dinner.
Going to the grocery store became my own Amazing Race; I made it a challenge to see how little money I could spend on a healthy home cooked meal.
I was victorious! I had climbed my Mt. Kilimanjaro. Not only was I able to put nutritious meals on the table for $10.00 or less, but they were also meals that my children loved and looked forward to eating every night. I fed their stomachs but more importantly I fed their minds and souls sitting around the dinner table talking and laughing each night.
Please visit with me next month when I share the meals with you that my children still love to eat.
Shoestring Mom
Sunday
Apr112010
Lowcountry Open House Weekend
Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 02:03PM 
In recognition of April as National Fair Housing Month, the REALTOR® Nationwide Open House weekend, April 10-11, will provide residents throughout the country with a chance to view homes in specific neighborhoods as the home buying season officially kicks off.
The Realtor Nationwide Open House Weekend is a collaborative effort sponsored by Realtor associations around the country including our own local association CTAR who is promoting the Lowcountry Open House Weekend.
“For many people, now really is a good time to buy a home. Inventories have moderated and mortgage rates are still at historic lows,” said Diane Szoke, Co-Owner of Charleston Your Home “And first-time buyers have until April 30 to get up to an $8,000 tax credit while long-time homeowners may qualify for as much as $6,500 if they purchase their next primary residence before the deadline.”
This nationwide campaign is meant to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of buying a home and give sellers an opportunity to increase exposure.
To use the expanded Federal Housing Tax Credit, the sales contract for a home purchase has to be in place by April 30. Restrictions on the tax credit do exist, but a Realtor can explain who qualifies for the tax credit.
Charleston Your Home will be participating on April 11th with the following open houses:
2112 Beckenham Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 - MLS#2928100
April 11, 2010 1-4pm
223 Center Street, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 - MLS#2914264
April 11, 2010 1-4pm
To read more about the Lowcountry Open House Weekend click here to view Jim Parker of the Post and Courier's piece.
Tuesday
Mar232010
College of Charleston Event
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 03:19PM 
The Carter Real Estate Center cordially invites you to our next
Friends of the Carter Real Estate Center networking event
Wachovia Auditorium
Beatty Center – 5 Liberty Street
College of Charleston
On Wednesday, April 7, 2010
6:00 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Speaker: David Morrow- Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Bank and Executive Vice President of Carolina Financial Corporation
Banking and Commercial Real Estate
Please R.S.V.P. Monday April 5, reply or call Tracie Mitchum at 953-8103. Please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you feel might be interested in attending this event.
(We are continually updating our Friends database.)
Mission Statement
Consistent with the Carter Real Estate Center’s mission to provide an outstanding education and research program for the application and advancement of real estate knowledge, the mission of Friends of the Carter Real Estate Center is to serve in an advisory and supportive capacity to help the Center achieve its goals.
David L. Morrow
David L. Morrow is the chief executive officer of Crescent Bank and executive vice president of Carolina Financial Corporation. Prior to founding Crescent Bank, he served as president of Carolina First Savings and also as executive vice president and member of the board of directors of Carolina First Bank.
Morrow is currently a member of the board of directors for both the South Carolina Bankers Association and the Independent Bankers of South Carolina. In addition, he is a member of the board of directors of Leadership South Carolina, a member of the Myrtle Beach Sertoma Club and a member of the finance committee at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach. He is also a past board member of the Storm Eye Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Morrow is a 1972 graduate of Clemson University with a bachelor of science degree and has more than 30 years of experience in banking and financial institution management in South Carolina.
Tuesday
Mar162010
With the Flick of a Switch
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 06:21PM Turn off your lights on March 27, 2010 at exactly 8:30 p.m. for one hour and join the cause to fight the rising threat of climate change. That’s right; with the flick of a switch you can make an impact on the world.
This single act began three years ago in Sidney, Australia when approximately 2.2 million people turned out their lights to demonstrate to the world the need to revolutionize our bad habits that are destroying the earth. Earth Hour was initially started with organizer Andy Ridley and the conserving group World Wildlife Fund. Ridley stated to the China Daily that, Earth Hour “provided a very big visual message to politicians that climate change must be addressed quickly” and that a difference can be made if we all take action.
Last year close to one billion people in 4,100 cities, 87 countries, and all seven continents participated in Earth Hour. Several major landmarks disappeared into the night including the Empire State building, LasVegas Strip, Great Pyramids of Giza, and Eiffel Tower. However, while many state governments have pledged their participation; only two schools, seven organizations, and nine businesses have signed onto the event in South Carolina.
You can help spread the word around your community by signing up Here!
All that is needed is to turn off the lights.
Friday
Feb262010
CofC Carter Real Estate Center Event
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 12:02PM 
The Carter Real Estate Center cordially invites you to our next
Friends of the Carter Real Estate Center networking event
Wachovia Auditorium
Beatty Center – 5 Liberty Street
College of Charleston
On Wednesday, March 3, 2010
6:00 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Speaker: Ken Reardon, CEO of South Eastern Equity Development Corporation
Real Estate In 2010: The New Normal
Please R.S.V.P. Monday March 1, reply or call Tracie Mitchum at 953-8103. Please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you feel might be interested in attending this event.
(We are continually updating our Friends database.)
Mission Statement
Consistent with the Carter Real Estate Center’s mission to provide an outstanding education and research program for the application and advancement of real estate knowledge, the mission of Friends of the Carter Real Estate Center is to serve in an advisory and supportive capacity to help the Center achieve its goals.
Ken Reardon, CEO of South Eastern Equity Development, Inc.
Mr. Reardon has twenty-five years of experience in financial management and marketing with a successful history in commercial and international real estate development and transactions. His talk will address how changes at financial institutions have altered the landscape of real estate investing and financing.
Tuesday
Feb232010
Rain Rain Go Away
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 01:28PM 
Although Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow again this year, lately the Charleston weather seems to mimic something closer to Spring showers. With nasty conditions surely in the horizon, families are left to fend for themselves hidden indoors. Don’t let rainy days cramp your style. Charleston offers tons of inside recreation for an entire family to enjoy.
A great activity offered in Charleston that I recently visited for the first time is the South Carolina Aquarium. At age nineteen and accompanied by senior citizens, everyone in my group was entertained by both the animals and friendly staff. Surrounded by classes of elementary schooled children, moms with infants and grandparents with toddlers, there was something to capture the interest of all ages.
The facility offers a fun and educational experience with many opportunities for hands on activity. Immediately after walking in, you are met by a man sporting a large snake as an accessory; and although a little out my personal comfort zone, brave visitors are able to touch the reptile while learning how he was rescued. Continuing on, guests will find themselves surrounded by the mountainous outdoors at Camp Carolina. Skunks, barn owls, snakes, and even a bald eagle are on exhibit here along with an interactive campsite making a great adventure for all.
Another interesting exhibit provided is the Great Ocean Tank where the staff conducts a daily live feeding. They teach lessons on the importance of keeping the ocean clean and do an audience question and answer portion while demonstrating how they care for the animals in the facility. Complete with scuba divers and stage props the exhibit of the two-story 385,000 gallon salt water tank gives an inside look at the life of hundreds of animals including sharks, jellyfish, sea turtles, and puffer fish.
Although the aquarium lacks in actual size, it is well set-up and extremely clean. The staff is helpful and energetic, providing a pleasurable event for all. Tickets to the South Carolina Aquarium range from free for toddlers and up to $17.95 for adults with various discounts provided for groups, college students, senior citizens and many more.
For more information visit:
Thursday
Jan212010
Lights, Camera, Action!
Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 06:09PM 
On January 24, Hollywood takes over the Lowcountry. If you live in the area, you’ve heard dozens of radio giveaways and ticket advertisements to attend the sea side premiere of the film Dear John. The Terrace Hippodrome Theater will host stars and supporters for the new movie based on the novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks and directed by Oscar nominated Lasse Hallström. Not only is the event an exciting happening for all local Notebook crazed girls, but proceeds will benefit South Carolina children and adults suffering from autism. The showing of the romantic drama is raising awareness and funds for the Charleston charity Carolina Autism.
The motion picture first became involved with the charity during the early stages of production. While searching for an actor able to portray the role of Alan, a young autistic boy who meets the main character John, Hallström met Phil Blevins, Executive Director of Carolina Autism. Belvins assisted in the hunt by introducing him to boys from the organization. Several auditioned for the part, however after three call-backs Braeden Reed; a 6-year-old autistic boy from Daniel Island won the role. Reed has been receiving services from Carolina Autism for four years and serves as an example of the organization’s great work.
Within the picture Reed performs alongside a cast of veterans. Mamma Mia leading lady and former Mean Girl, Amanda Seyfried stars as Savannah Lynn Curtis, the love interest of Channing Tatum’s character John Tyree. Filmed in Charleston, the movie tells a story about love, friendship, acceptance, forgiveness, and the idea that life is truly bittersweet.
Reed’s rise to the big screen will be honored at the premiere event where cast, crew, and even novel author Sparks debut the motion picture. For those who want to experience the red carpet affair, you can purchase tickets to the Hippodrome Theater showing at $250 per person. Of course, you can also opt to join the herd of screaming teens to merely catch a glimpse of the rich and famous. Whether spending the evening among paparazzi or splurging on a chance to meet a celeb, the entire night is sure to be a great celebration in honor of the production and service provided by Carolina Autism.
Helpful Links
Update on Friday, February 26, 2010 at 11:53AM by
Andrea Smith
Andrea Smith
Here are a few pictures from College of Charleston students who stood among paparazzi at the red carpet event!
Fans gather outside and wait in anticipation for the stars arrival 
Allen and his mom make their way to the premiere 
Amanda Seyfried signs autographs for admiring fans 
Heart throb Channing Tatum is met by a crowd of screaming teens 
A lucky fan sporting her Channing Tatum autograph
Wednesday
Dec232009
CYH Holiday Greetings - Together We Can Move the World
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 08:52AM One of the genuine delights of the holiday season is having the opportunity to say thank you for being a part of our lives and to wish you the very best for the New Year.
May the spirit of this season fill your hearts with peace and happiness in 2010.
From our CYH family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Holiday.
Thursday
Dec102009
My Life Sport & How to Surf
Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 09:40PM 
After more than 40 years I still love to surf. Amazing! Besides surfing locally I now travel to surf every year. We have been to North Carolina, Florida, California, Hawaii, Caribbean, Bahamas’, Panama and my favorite place of all to surf is Costa Rica. We travel there at least once or twice a year for the past 10 years. The place is paradise to me and to all my traveling surfer buddies. (Surfing Costa Rica next Blog)
How to surf? You have to be able to swim well, not worry what’s in the water, get some wax and buy a nice used long board or funshape. If you can do that, you’re on your way to your Life Sport.
1st: Learning to paddle and how to stand. 2nd: Sitting or lying on the board waiting for your wave. 3rd: Paddling for the wave. 4th: Riding the wave. That’s it. Now paddle back out and do it again.
Learn to paddle on the beach. Lay the board skeg down in the sand. If you can, bury your skegs so you don’t break them off. Lay down on your belly facing the nose of the board. Chin up. Start the pretend paddling. Paddle hard for the wave. Now stand up quickly. This is a very tricky part because everyone has a side they like to stand. One way is called a Regular Footer and the other is called a Goofy Footer. Regular Footers stand with their left foot forward, toes pointing to the ride rail side. Goofy Footers are the opposite of course. I’m a Regular footer. (All can be explained out later) Bend knee’s, arms out for balance, and your surfing. Except you’re in the sand on the beach. Practice…Practice….then get in the water.
You have to learn to sit on the board. Sounds easy, and it is, but you will see it takes practice. And you have to get in the water, outside the break, to learn. Get your butt down in the water, hold on to the rails and balance. Easy…Right! Practice and be patient. Enjoy the moment because the next step is the hard part.
Paddling for your 1st wave is hard. 1st you have to paddle hard to the inside while looking over your shoulder at the approaching wave. Once you feel the lift of the wave pushing you forward it’s time to stand up. This is the hardest part of surfing. Once you get to your feet, try to stay up on top of the board like you did on the beach. Don’t worry, very few people stay up long the 1st time they try.
Riding a wave. All I can say is practice…practice…don’t give up. In fact, you will not want to stop. You know you can do it…and you will! It will change your life forever! I hope it does…It did me.
I know it would be hard to want to surf in the winter but that is my favorite times to surf. Bigger, better swells and fewer crowds. For this time of year a full wetsuit with booties, hood and gloves are all necessary if you’re going to last in the water. If not, wait till summer when it’s easy to learn and you will enjoy it more.
If you would like a private or group lesson I have one of the best hourly rates around. I have taught many people in my day, so let me know. Hope you are ready for the best time of your life! Pura Vida!
Tuesday
Nov172009
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 Single Family Properties – DOM vs. Price
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 09:57AM This Week
The median list price in MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 29466 for this week is $415,000. The 536 properties have
been on the market for an average of 274 days.
Days-on-market has been trending up recently but the Market Action Index and inventory levels are basically flat and not providing strong indications for the market.
For your a more detailed report please contact us and we will be happy to send you the full report.
Wednesday
Nov042009
What Green Jobs Look Like
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 07:39AM Brought to you from one of our favorite websites GOOD who in collaboration with individuals, businesses, and non-profits are helping to push the world fordward.
Buildings are actually responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than cars. But simply weatherizing houses and businesses can reduce their environmental impact and lower energy bills—while creating new jobs in the process. Everyone wins.
Check out Green For All and see how you can be a part of the solution.
tagged Good, Green Jobs, Green for All in Charleston Green
Good, Green Jobs, Green for All in Charleston Green Tuesday
Oct132009
Love this!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 12:04PM Today I went looking for inspiration and found this gem. So many times being an entrepreneur can be a long, hard and lonely road but it can also be so satisfying as well.
So for all you fellow entrepreneur's out there, this one is for you!
Wednesday
Oct072009
CYH Launches New Weekly Market Reports for the Charleston Tri-Country Area
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 04:05PM CYH is pleased to announce that we’re launching a new weekly blog series that shares with our readers our real-time real estate data Market Reports provided by the award winning team at Altos Research.
We know you don't have time to wait. The housing market is changing day to day. You need to know what the market is doing based on real-time data. Unlike other sources that might take months to gather market data, our reports analyze current real estate activity.
Altos Research monitors millions of properties on the market to provide the most comprehensive database of current real estate market data. So, while other data sources rely on months' old data, before letting you know the state of the market 'after the fact,' Our reports provide a clear window to what is happening in the market right now, even as we speak.
So feel free to click on the charts and you’ll see how really different they are. You can change the length of time shown, and if you mouse over the charts you’ll see exact numbers from different dates.
Go on, play with them, we know you want to!
Wednesday
Oct072009
Market Report for Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 07:53AM Supply and Demand
The market has shown some evidence of slowing recently. Both prices and inventory levels are relatively unchanged in recent weeks.
Price
We continue to see prices in this zip code hovering around these current levels, with the median list price in MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 29466 at $449,000 this week.
Before we see prices move significantly from here look for a persistent up-shift in the Market Action Index.
The Market Action Index answers the question "How's the Market?" By measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of the inventory. Index above 30 implies Seller's Market conditions. Below 30, conditions favor the buyer. Currently we are in a Strong Buyer’s market.
About the Charts
Your probably saying to yourself "this chart looks different than ones I've gotten from other agents" - well they are different. You can click on them, too, to change the length of time shown, and mouse over the charts to see exact numbers from different dates. Go on, play with them, I know you want to!
Monday
Sep282009
Charleston, SC - A Mighty Micro!
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 04:06PM
Our good friends at the Charleston Digital Corridor shared with us some great news today that Charleston, SC made it to #2 in the Mighty Micros category on the 2009 Next Cities™ list, which includes the 80 best cities for young professionals specifically “knowledge workers” in the United States and Canada.
Not too shabby.
Demographic trends indicate that young knowledge workers are positioned to strongly influence site selection and relocation. According to a report from The Conference Board (“Managing the Mature Workforce”), by 2010, the number of people ages 35–44 in the nation’s work force will decline by 10 percent, the number of workers ages 45–54 will grow by 21 percent, and the number of 55–64 year-olds will grow by 52 percent. Additionally, nearly 64 million workers — 40 percent of the entire U.S. work force — will be poised for retirement.
Unlike previous generations of knowledge workers, who chose where to live based on the availability of job opportunities, the next generation will decide where to work based on where they want to live. The next generation can, in the words of The Wall Street Journal, “pick a place to live, and then find a job.”
Saturday
Sep262009
Charleston Green Fair - Green is Good!
Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 02:04PM 
Sunday, the second annual Charleston Green Fair will be open at Marion Square from noon to 6 p.m. Drink some Sweetwater beer, eat some food from local food haunts, including Taco Boy, Rosebank Farms and Alluette's Cafe, browse the art selection including some beautiful handmade pieces by Neal Van Dalen from LESESNE
as well as more than 100 other vendors who will be there.
For more information, please go visit Charleston Green Fair.
Charleston Green Fair
