Finding Charleston a Home

Charleston Named #29 for Bicycling

Stephanie — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:12:57 +0000

http://www.bicycling.com/topbikefriendlycities/slide31.html

Charleston, SC has recently been named in the Top 50 Cities for Bicycling. There was also a wonderful event in Hampton Park yesterday.

10 Things First Time Home Buyers Should Know

Stephanie — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:40:44 +0000

#1: Just because it’s a buyer’s market doesn’t mean you should buy right now. Don’t let the lucrative market dictate a buying decision if the time isn’t absolutely right. Potential homebuyers need to ask themselves if they have a good credit score, if their job is secure and if they can stay in the home for a few years. If the answer to these questions is “no,” it might make more sense to wait until life and finances are more stable.

#2: The cost of owning a home is more than just the purchase price. On top of a mortgage payment, there are several monthly fees and expenses any first-time buyer should consider when becoming a homeowner: insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. Think about scaling back the home price in order to better budget for the entire package.

#3: Programs are out there to help first-time buyers. A sizeable down payment is great to have for a home purchase, but not everyone can afford to fork over 20 percent upfront. Fortunately, there are many federal, state and local programs geared toward helping first-time homebuyers with down payments, interest rates and loan terms sure to make the whole process and affordability a bit easier.

#4: Foreclosures and short sales present great deals, but proceed with caution. Buying a foreclosed or short sale home can be a risky proposition for a first-time buyer. Foreclosures are often sold “as-is,” while a short sale transaction can be lengthier and more complicated than a typical home purchase. First-timers should consult an agent or attorney with specialization in these areas.

#5: Getting pre-approved for a loan gives you more buying power. Obtaining lender pre-approvals are important because it establishes a homebuyer’s maximum purchase price, shows sellers that the buyer is serious about buying a home and lets the homebuyer compare interest rates and terms to find the best deal.

#6: Good school districts boost property value. One of the most important aspects of a home’s value is the neighborhood where it’s located. Even if the homebuyer does not have kids, buying a home near sought-after schools can help the resale value.

#7: You may be able to access your tax credit upfront. Buyers using FHA-insured mortgages can apply their tax credit toward their home purchase immediately, rather than waiting until they file their income taxes to receive a refund. Prospective buyers who believe they qualify for the credit are also allowed to reduce their income tax withholding, therefore increasing their take-home pay.

#8: Not all real estate agents represent buyers. There are three types of agents: listing agents, who represent sellers and help them get the best price; buyers’ agents, who represent buyers and protect their interests; and agents who represent either (or both). Often, first-time buyers prefer to work exclusively with a buyer’s agent so there are no possible conflicts of interest.

#9: Doing your homework can help you make a competitive offer. Before buying the home, determine the property’s market value by having the realtor conduct a comparative market analysis. This report will show what buyers were willing to pay for similar homes in the area, giving a good idea of what will make a fair offer.

#10: It’s important to have a back-out plan. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure to have a contingency plan in case things don’t go as planned in the home inspection or appraisal. If the home has a major flaw or doesn’t appraise for the purchase price, an escape plan allows the contract to be voided.

SOURCE: FrontDoor.com

Existing-Home Sales Down, Higher Than a Year Ago

Stephanie — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:34:32 +0000

Washington, February 26, 2010

Existing-home sales fell in January but are above year-ago levels, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – dropped 7.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate¹ of 5.05 million units in January from a revised 5.44 million in December, but remain 11.5 percent above the 4.53 million-unit level in January 2009.

Home Sizes Fall as Builders, Buyers Embrace Economic Reality

Stephanie — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:03:02 +0000

Home Sizes Fall as Builders, Buyers Embrace Economic Reality

By Steve Kerch Print Article

RISMEDIA, January 28, 2010—(MCT)—New-home buyers responded to the tough times in 2009 by opting for smaller houses, driving down the average size of a house built in the United States for the first time in 27 years.

Data recently released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found the average size of a new home that was completed in 2009 fell to 2,480 square feet from 2,520 square feet in 2008. The last time the average completed-home size fell by a statistically significant amount was 1982.

“You’ve heard the mantra ‘downsize me’ and ’small is the new big?’ Well, last year was definitely a downer,” said Carol Lavender, president of Lavender Design Group, a residential design firm in San Antonio, Texas.

Homeowners surveyed by Better Homes and Gardens magazine said downsizing was becoming a bigger priority: 36% said in November 2009 that they expected their next home to be “somewhat smaller” or “much smaller” than their current home versus 32% who said that in 2008. “Not surprisingly, we see a ‘cents and sensibility’ approach when it comes to buying or improving a home, with practicality and price being the top priorities,” said Eliot Nusbaum, the magazine’s executive editor of home design.

While the small-house movement in the United States has been gaining steam for a number of years, the recession has accelerated it and home builders have responded.

“The era of easy money is over. You really have to think before you go out and decide you need that five-bedroom, five-bath home,” said Rose Quint, the NAHB’s assistant vice president for survey research. “Couple that with the energy cost concerns of consumers today and I think we will continue this trend. Houses will not shrink drastically, but they will shrink.”

Although actual square footage of homes didn’t fall until 2009, the percent of homes with four or more bedrooms in them has been falling since 2007, NAHB data show. And in 2009, the number of homes with three or more bathrooms fell for the first time since 1992.

Two other trends in home construction are contributing to the declining square footages: The prominence of first-time buyers in the housing market and the increasing number of households with members 55 and older who are buying homes.

First-time buyers, driven into the market in good part by the availability of an $8,000 tax credit, are more likely to compromise on home size in exchange for a lower price. And the 55-plus crowd tends to purchase single-story homes, which generally are smaller because of the land costs that favor the more-efficient two-story plans.

“Barely over half of new homes today are built with two stories or more,” Quint said. Two-story homes peaked at about 55% of the market in 2006. For 2010, home builders say they will focus on lower-priced models and smaller homes. More than 95% of builders surveyed by NAHB in January said that was the way they saw their business evolving this year.

The penchant for smaller homes will necessitate some design changes. Builders, attempting to respond to those consumer demands as well as hold the line on prices, told the NAHB surveyors that they were most likely to include these features as standard in their houses this year:

-Walk-in closets in the master bedroom.
-Laundry rooms.
-Insulated front doors.
-Great rooms.
-Energy-efficient windows.
-Linen closets.
-Programmable thermostats.
-Energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
-Separate shower and tub in master bathrooms.
-Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor.

Among the things that builders said they were least likely to add to houses in 2010:

-Outdoor kitchens.
-Outdoor fireplaces.
-Sunrooms.
-Butler’s pantries.
-Media rooms.
-Desks in kitchens.
-Two-story foyers.
-Eight foot ceilings on the first floor.
-Multiple shower heads in the master bath.
-Smaller kitchens.

“You can see that builders are concentrating heavily on energy-saving features,” Quint said. “But a lot of the luxury items are on the chopping block or on hold as builders try to lower costs.”

Charleston Magazine Before & After Contest

Stephanie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:03:30 +0000

Energy Efficency for your Charleston, SC Home

Stephanie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:36:03 +0000

The average North American household spends $1500 annually on energy bills, a number that may go up as much as 50 percent this year. In the face of higher energy costs this winter, improving energy efficiency is more important than ever to homeowners. Here are some simple and inexpensive steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient. Why not start this weekend?

Furnace Care

Dirty furnace filters impede air flow and can also affect indoor air quality. Replace your furnace filters or clean them as needed, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The furnace won’t need to work as hard to deliver heat where it’s needed. Also consider installing a programmable thermostat, which will lower the heat at night or when no one is home.

Bundle Up

If you have a tank-style water heater, wrap it in an insulation blanket to prevent needless energy loss.

Change a light bulb

Replace the five most frequently used lights in your home with LED or CFL light bulbs and save more than $60 each year in energy costs.

Power Down

Put electronics such as computers and televisions on a power strip and turn it off when you’re not using those items. Consider “smart” power strips that can detect when an item is turned off but still drawing idle current; the strip will automatically shut off the current to selected outlets on the strip.

Seal Drafts

Seal holes, cracks and openings in your home to stop heat loss through the walls and ceiling.

Use Energy Star^®

Energy Star^® products help you save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Star® label is on more than 40 different kinds of products for the home, including lighting, home electronics, heating and cooling equipment and appliances.

Fill it Up

Run washers and dryers at full capacity. They are most efficient when they are fully loaded.

Use Your Dishwater

You’ll use up to 35 percent less water by doing a full load of dishes vs. washing them by hand – and use less energy for water heating, too.

For more tips on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home, please contact your local Pillar To Post office.

Sam & Melissa Leslie

1150 Hungryneck Blvd. Suite C-327

Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
881-4740 Office

478-4343 Cell

Sam.Leslie@pillartopost.com
www.pillartopost.com

Mardi Gras in Charleston, SC

Stephanie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:26:29 +0000

If you’re having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.

Tickets can be purchased at

Oak Steakhouse,

The Cajun Kitchen, Cherie’s Specialty Meats or simply by visiting our website,

www.kreweof

charleston.org

We can also be

reached at goodcajuncooking

@yahoo.com

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Learn More About the Krewe of Charleston HERE

Find the Krewe on Facebook!

Mardi Gras comes to Charleston!

Brett McKee, celebrated chef and owner of Oak Steakhouse will rule over The Krewe of Charleston as King in our city’s first ever Mardi Gras Pageant. Chef Steve Meaux, owner of Cherie’s Specialty Meats will serve the court as Bishop and Donnie Bulliard of The Cajun Kitchen is Captain of the Krewe.

Come join us on Friday, November 13 at 7:00 PM at The Cajun Kitchen at 1826 Belgrade Avenue

for a meal fit for the Queen and her court.

All three chefs/rulers will be there to prepare these

dishes and pair each course with fantastic

Italian and French wines.

Le Menu

AntiPasta Platter (Cajun)

A great variety Wanda Barras’ homemade goat cheese along with Alligator Sausage, Louisiana Pork Boudin served with fruit and french bread. Crawfish pastries, too!

Soup (Italian)

Butternut Squash Bisque drizzled with white Truffle Oil

Salad (Cajun)

Corn & Shrimp served over a bed of fresh greens and goat cheese

Vegetable (Cajun)

Mamou Sweet Potato Pone with real sugar cane mollasses and pecans

Entree’ (Italian)

Bordelaisse Braiesed Beef Short ribs over Creamy Palenta with Astiago & Sage.

Dessert (Cajun)

Donnie’s World Famous Louisiana Bread Pudding drenched with Bourbon whiskey sauce, pecans and coconut.

After Dinner Drinks (international)

Grasshoppers & Pink Squirrels

Oak Steakhouse
17 Broad Street Charleston, SC 29401 843.722.4220
www.oaksteakhouserestaurant.com
Complimentary Valet Parking

Charleston, SC Restaurant

Stephanie — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:56:12 +0000

Lana

Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar

210 Rutledge Ave.

Charleston, SC 29403

Come and taste the mediterranean with Lana!

This week’s tasting menu celebrates the fresh, rich and hearty flavors of Spain.

Following menu includes the classic Spanish Gipsy Stew,

followed by your choice of appetizer and entree.

Olla Gitana (Gipsy Stew)

Pork Chick Peas Vegetables and Greens 4.00/5.50

———- Appetizer ———-
Xato
Curly Endive Salad with Tuna and Romesco Vinaigrette
9.50
Ameijous Na Cataplana
Steamed Clams with Chorizo, Tomatoes and Roasted Peppers 10.00

———- Entrée ———-

Marmitako (Basque Fisherman’s Dish)
Grilled Tuna with Roasted Pepper and Potato Stew
23.00
Paella
(If you don’t know don’t ask!)
Mussel Clams Shrimp Scallops Chicken Chorizo Saffron Rice
23.00

==========================

Three Course Set Menu
33.00

Executive Chef

John Ondo

Hope to see you soon!

Please visit our web site

www.lanarestaurant.com

for our full menu and wine list

Cigar Factory Construction Continues

Stephanie — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:31:08 +0000

Demolition uncovers treasured history.

All walls and partitions have been removed on each of the five floors

of the Cigar Factory, exposing some priceless treasures. Beautiful archways, historic signs, posters and artifacts from the building’s

time as a true cigar factory have been uncovered. Plans to incorporate

the past into the future Cigar Factory will follow the ongoing preservation of its legacy.

Will the Cigar Factory be your home for business?

Along with luxury lofts, Cigar Factory will also feature 25,000 square feet of modern office space and 35,000 square feet of premium retail space. With plenty of parking, convenient access from downtown and Mt. Pleasant, this is a prime location for business. Chris Fraser of Grubb & Ellis | Barkley Fraser explains more.

Bridge and City views through massive, new industrial windows.

Old windows and bricked in windows are being removed and being replace with new, hurricane resistant windows. The massive new windows are composed of three layers of glass and one layer of acrylic with a true divided light design. Every effort is being made to capture the original look of the fabled original Cigar Factory design. You can see photos of the windows being replaced by clicking here.

Take an interactive tour of the Cigar Factory.

As the Cigar Factory is being transformed into luxury lofts, you can take an interactive tour of the building and learn more about the primo amenities, including 15-foot ceilings, massive industrial windows, city and bridge views, rooftop pool and much more. Click here for the Cigar Factory experience.

House Approves Flood Insurance Extension

Stephanie — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:28:09 +0000

The House of Representatives approved legislation by Reps. Waters (D-CA) and Frank (D-MA) to extend authority under the National Flood Insurance Program until March 31, 2010. Without this authority, the program could not issue policies effectively preventing property buyers from legally obtaining mortgage loans in federal designated floodplains. The extension is needed to give Congress more time to consider long-term reforms to the program. Next the Senate must approve the legislation before the program’s current expiration date, which is September 30th.