Foreclosures and Sales up across South Carolina - 07/31/10 02:09 PM
Midyear foreclosures up across state's MSAs
http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/35295-midyear-foreclosures-up-across-state-rsquo-s-msas
June home sales up 25% across South Carolina
http://www.scbizmag.com/content/view/137781/1/
Yes, home sales are up year-to-date over last year for the same time period and month; however, I am concerned for two reasons.
1 - Foreclosures are still on the rise.  This will not improve until the homeowners see a financial way out.  Unfortunately that will not happen until jobs are created and unemployment starts to drop. 
2 - The home sales' numbers are inflated due to the expiring tax credit.  What will the second half of 2010 hold for the real estate market?
Without … (1 comments)

Seeking Donations for Special Olympics Gala - 07/31/10 01:52 PM
I am helping a friend find donations from businesses and individuals for the Eleventh Annual Charleston Battery "A Special Night for Special Olympics."  The event is on Sept 23 in Charleston, SC; however, donations are due Sept 1. 
Donations may be tax deducted, so consult your CPA about charitable tax deductions.  Product donations will be sold via a silent auction at the event.  Businesses and sponsors will be listed in the event program.  For businesses, this is great advertisement.
"A Special Night for Special Olympics" benefits the Special Olympics South Carolina and their athletes.  If you would like more information, please … (0 comments)

Greenville ranks as 3rd-strongest job market - 07/31/10 01:43 PM
Greenville ranks as 3rd-strongest job market
http://www.scbizmag.com/content/view/137743/1/
Greenville ranked as the 3rd strongest job market in the country.  This announcement highlights the great economic activity in the Greenville metropolitan area. 
Jobs, and more specifically job creation, are the key to any local economy.  Greenville's strong economic outlook means jobs are being created. 
As the economy improves and consumers in the area gain confidence in the economy, the real estate market will start to improve.  Another plus for the Greenville MSA is the area did not experience drastic drop in real estate value or sales.
The article provides very good stats about … (2 comments)

Weekend Events for the Charleston, SC (The Lowcountry) - July 30, 2010 - 07/29/10 11:36 PM
Here is a list of activities for Charleston, SC for this weekend.  By no means is this all Charleston has to offer.  It is simply a list of the events I know about.
Most of these events came from Charleston Regional Business Journal Weekend! 10 Ways to Play.  You can signup for the weekly email at http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/resources/new.
Sports
WakeFest - Trophy Lakes on Johns Island - http://www.trophylakes.com/
Charleston Battery Soccer - Away game - http://www.charlestonbattery.com
River Dogs - Home games Friday and Saturday - www.riverdogs.com
Music
Bluegrass Under the Bridge - Common Ground at Mount Pleasant Pier - http://www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?nid=1174
Rockin' on … (1 comments)

Weekend Events for the Charleston, SC (The Lowcountry) - July 23, 2010 - 07/23/10 02:29 PM
Here is a list of activities for Charleston, SC for this weekend.  By no means is this all Charleston has to offer.  It is simply a list of the events I know about.
Most of these events came from Charleston Regional Business Journal Weekend! 10 Ways to Play.  You can signup for the weekly email at http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/resources/new.
Sports
Vote Charleston Best Tennis Town - http://www.besttennistown.com/
Charleston Battery Soccer - Away game - http://www.charlestonbattery.com
River Dogs - Away games - www.riverdogs.com
- Reel Hardball presents an outdoor premier screening of Brett Rapkin's independent film Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey at the Joe - … (2 comments)

Best Tennis Town - Charleston, SC - 07/23/10 02:06 PM
Charleston does not have the title yet, but with a little effort from us it can.  Vote for Charleston as the Best Tennis Town at http://www.besttennistown.com/. 
Normally I cast my vote on things like this and move on with my day without a second thought given to it.  The Lowcountry has had some great announcements with Mt. Pleasant being named to multiple best towns in America lists. 
Now it is time to add a bit more.  The grand prize is $100,000 for the winning city.  This money will enable Charleston to drastically increase our already famous Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island.
This … (3 comments)

Are you willing to pay the cost? - 07/20/10 10:48 AM
This is the third article in the series Every Realtor is a Small Business.  You can read the Introduction to the series at http://activerain.com/blogsview/1680357/every-realtor-is-a-small-business-introduction.
I am a day late publishing this article, but late is better than never.  Pressing business required my attention over the last week.  I know some people will say "blogging is business and it must have a rigid schedule." 
My rebuttal is my theme from the last article which was "everything has a cost."  Every action you take in life has a cost, and the question is always the same - Are you willing to pay the … (6 comments)

Charleston County hotel occupancy up 5.4% in June - 07/15/10 11:43 PM
Charleston County hotel occupancy up 5.4% in June
http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/35028-charleston-county-hotel-occupancy-up-5-4-in-june
Charleston County has had four months of increased hotel occupancy compared to the same time periods last year.  This is a good sign for more than our hotel industry. 
It is a positive sign for our tourism industry as a whole which in turn leads to more jobs and a better economy.  This statistic is an indicator that gives a glimpse into what is coming for July and August. 
Looks like things are on the upswing for Charleston.
Aaron
  
 
… (1 comments)

Weekend Events for the Charleston, SC (The Lowcountry) - July 16, 2010 - 07/15/10 02:59 PM
For some reason I did not receive an email last week with the weekend events, so I completely forgot to post the events I already knew about.  I am back on track this weekend.
Here is a list of activities for Charleston, SC for this weekend.  By no means is this all Charleston has to offer.  It is simply a list of the events I know about.
Most of these events came from Charleston Regional Business Journal Weekend! 10 Ways to Play.  You can signup for the weekly email at http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/resources/new.
Sports
Charleston Battery Soccer - July 17 - Home against … (0 comments)

Does My Beautiful Home Really Need Advice From a Home Stager? - 07/15/10 12:22 AM
Great advice.
Via Margaret Oscilia-Home Stager, Salem Oregon (Creative Concepts and Contracting, Salem Oregon):
Dear Home Staging Expert:
My home is beautifully decorated and I receive many compliments on my style and taste in furnishing and decor.   I'm preparing to sell in the near future and my real estate agent advised I hire a "home staging expert" to give me some advice.  I can't imagine what benefit I would receive from this service.  (I actually find it a bit insulting.)  Please advise.
Sincerely,
Divine Design Diane
 
 
Dear Diane:
Thanks for taking the time to ask this important question before dismissing your … (1 comments)

$850 3 Bedroom/1 Bathroom House for Rent - Goose Creek - 07/09/10 10:16 AM
3 Bedroom/1 Bathroom home for rent in quiet neighborhood. $850/month rent and $850 deposit required.

Features of Home: Recently painted Stove Ceiling fans Chandelier light in dining room Attic storage Carpet & linoleum flooring Coat closet in living room Cable ready Central heating and air conditioning Back porch Fenced in backyard Pets Okay (Pet Fee Required) Pictures may be viewed at http://www.ss-investments.net/properties/50829445.html Aaron
 
… (0 comments)

3 Bed/2 Bath home for rent in quiet neighborhood - Summerville / Goose Creek - 07/09/10 10:12 AM
3 Bed/2 Bath home for rent in quiet neighborhood. The home is located with easy access to I26.  $1,000 per month rent and $1,000 deposit required.

Features of Home: New Tile Stove Built-In Microwave Dishwasher Ceiling fans in all bedrooms Vaulted ceiling in living room Chandelier light in dining room Carpet in bedrooms/tile rest of house Coat closet in living room Pantry Cable ready Central heating and air conditioning Front porch Pets Okay (Pet fee required) Pictures may be viewed at http://www.ss-investments.net/properties/101729483.html
 
… (1 comments)

The Costs of Social Networking - 07/05/10 09:26 AM
This is the second article in the series Every Realtor is a Small Business.  You can read the Introduction to the series at http://activerain.com/blogsview/1680357/every-realtor-is-a-small-business-introduction.
Social networking has exploded over the last few years, and it has become an integral part of many companies' marketing plans.  This article is strictly about The Cost of Social Networking.  The pro's and con's of social networking are not discussed. 
Without diving too far into this topic, social networking is not free.  Anyone who says it is either does not understand business or is blatantly lying.
There are two types of costs: direct and indirect.   
… (5 comments)

Nearly 21% of homes sold in S.C. were in foreclosure - 07/03/10 02:44 AM
Nearly 21% of homes sold in S.C. were in foreclosure
http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/34895-nearly-21-of-homes-sold-in-s-c-were-under-foreclosure
Until the foreclosure mess is cleaned up, our real estate market cannot move forward.  There are two benefits to pre-foreclosure homes being sold. 
1. Foreclosures are being prevented.  A prevented foreclosure has several short and long term benefits to the seller, and the community benefits from not having a vacant home which can increase crime and decrease property values.
2. Foreclosures are being prevented.  Until the foreclosure mess is cleaned up, our real estate market cannot move forward.  Foreclosed homes have a great impact on the real estate and financial markets.  Preventing a home foreclosure helps stability … (1 comments)

More jobs to South Carolina Upstate - 07/03/10 02:13 AM
Electric car maker to locate in Spartanburg http://www.scbizmag.com/content/view/137617/1/
BMW ramping up production staff http://www.scbizmag.com/content/view/137636/1/
I guess the Upstate has felt a little left out with the majority of the economy news coming out of the Lowcountry, so they created a bunch of jobs.  Of course, I say this in jest.  This is great news for the Upstate. 
I have noticed a lot of smaller announcements for the Upstate; however, I do not post or comment on them, because I focus on the Charleston Area.  Nothing against the Upstate.  It is simply I live in Charleston, so I limit my focus.
Our state benefits anytime … (0 comments)

Weekend Events for the Charleston, SC (The Lowcountry) - July 2, 2010 - 07/02/10 02:13 PM
Here is a list of activities for Charleston, SC for this weekend.
By no means is this all Charleston has to offer. It is simply a list of the events I know about. Most of these events came from Charleston Regional Business Journal Weekend! 10 Ways to Play. You can signup for the weekly email at http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/resources/new.
It is July 4th weekend, and my second favorite holiday!!!! (Thanksgiving is #1 because of the food :-) ) Here is a list of 4th of July events around The Lowcountry - http://scbiz.typepad.com/july4/.
Sports
World Cup Soccer Friday and Saturday – Visit your local … (2 comments)

Pending home sales drop 23.8% in May in the Charleston Area - 07/01/10 11:55 PM
Pending home sales drop 23.8% in May
http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/34835-pending-home-sales-drop-23-8-in-may
Pending home sales tumbled in the Lowcountry; however, many of us expected it.  My hope is tv analysts do not read too much into and sensationalize the data for the sake of ratings. 
Remember, we do not have less buyers YTD than we should.  The buyers simply shifted their buying timeframe to qualify for the tax credit.
… (3 comments)