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!



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

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 11^th 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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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

Dear John Premiere

Carolina Autism

South Carolina Autism Society