There is no way I could have known that the almost empty lot I was looking at one year ago would have changed my career. I was simply hoping NOT to disappoint the two gentleman who asked for my help. Late January of last year I met with Scott Dennis (NBM Builders) and Trey Ambrose (Proslab) who together formed Carolina Village LLC.

Although I was well aware of both of them, they knew very little about me. What they did know was that I had a loyal client base that supported me in just about any venture I chose.

Their goal was simple; they wanted to move a development that had simply become stagnant and bare.

I was just crazy enough to think I would be the one to do it.

I knew of the impeccable reputation of Scott Dennis and the NBM crew. I knew of the dogged determination of Trey Ambrose. I knew I was ready for a challenge.

So with only a brief meeting, a relationship was formed. I had absolutely no choice but to do what I said I would do. Incredibly intimidated and slightly overwhelmed, Carolina Village became my project.

I spent hours upon hours researching sales, viewing homes, rearranging floor plans, and most importantly speaking with my clients. The feedback from past buyers was invaluable.

NBM Builders gave me the freedom and the support to offer buyers a home that I felt certain would meet the needs of a forgotten population. Trey Ambrose was always available to answer questions, offer solutions, and remind me of the promise I had made. Not always the most agreeable three minds(oh the stories!!!), but we were able to focus on the big picture.

Now, with only 5 homes away from completion, we were featured in the Real Estate section of our local paper. The headline "Beat the Economy". I didn't pay for the front page ad, I didn't even ask for the feature. We were chosen along with two other communities in all of Beaufort County, the only one chosen in our town.

I had no idea we would complete this project in three years, much less a year and a half. I am extremely proud, glowing, kinda giddy to be exact. I have gained valuable experience, extremely happy buyers, and builders that feel more like family than just two men asking for help.

It really is true. Anything is possible if you believe it can be done.

I must admit, being a retro pin up queen is a bit tiring. I didn't realize hosting an all female party would be more physically demanding than running a three mile dash. But oh is it so much more fun! Last night I hosted a client appreciation event at our top local spa, Aqua Med Spa.

There was a very specific reason for the location, the theme, and the female only restriction.

Many of my clients are brand new to the area. They suffer from Newcomers-itus, a most paralyzing condition for social women!  At a closing a few weeks ago, one of my clients asked me where she could get her hair styled.

I didn't realize just how often that question had been coming up. After all we are women, no matter where we are, what house we buy, or how long we are in the area.

So, the idea was born. I enlisted the help of the experts, Aqua Med Spa. Each lady got her hair styled, was given individualized make up advice and application, as well as was treated like royalty by a professional photographer, who constantly reminded all of my lovely ladies just how beautiful they are!

Maybe it was the champagne, could have been the delectable customized cookies, or possibly the comfort level of women who so desperately needed the company of other women.

 What ever the need, it was obviously met. Women, who upon entering, knew no one; left with a whole new set of friends and a fabulous hair do!

The whole evening was permeated with giggles, reassurance, and exchanging of contact information. Women who had never met, cheered each other on in front of the camera. The staff, not only gained new clients, but most likely gained a few new friends as well.

As Realtors, we see so many come and go and go and go and go.... We can often forget that they require more than just a new address. Take time to stop and listen to the needs of your clients. It may be something so simple yet so important.

Take your client appreciation to another level. Help them feel more comfortable in their new enviroment! It is a just as much a gift for you as it is for them!

How do you show appreciation to your clients? Thank you notes, closing gifts, automated birthday cards? If you aren't taking the time or putting forth the energy to show appreciation, you may find your client database dwindling.

2009 was one of my best years in real estate. I learned many valuable lessons, many expensive lessons, and a few painful ones as well. By far one of my most valuable came from desperation. Don't they always?

Fortunately, my client base has grown and matured into a reliable, consistent, and most necessary source of revenue. It took many years to build, many hours to nurture, and will require even more to sustain. Drip campaigns, birthday cards, and preprinted thank you notes just didn't seem to communicate my sincere appreciation to this ever so loyal foundation.

I was spinning my wheels and my wallent trying to find ways to keep in contact, show appreciation, and find time for meaningful conversation with the heart of my business. So....in keeping with my impulsive type behavior, I planned (absolute last minute of course) my first of many client appreciation events.

The heavens parted, the angels sang, and finally the dusty old light bulb once again illuminated my often cloudy brain. DUH! That is how it is done.

It wasn't overly fancy or pretentious. I had no banners or life-size photos of myself. Just personal invitations (a phone call from yours truly), lowcountry food, contributions of drinks, door prizes, and discounts from my trusted allies (contractors, interior designers, even hair stylist!). My first event was a huge success. I sent a feedback form a few days after and was most pleased with the reviews.

Was it expensive? No more than an automated email campaign! Did it strengthen my connections? DEFINITELY. Will I do it again? Yes MAM! Tonight actually.

Tonight I am showing appreciation to all the wives, girlfriends, moms, sisters, and friends! Beaufort's Top SPA is opening after hours for my clients! It is going to be 2 full hours of fabulously female fun.

If you haven't planned your client events for the year, now is the perfect time to do so! Enlist the assistance of local businesses that depend on you. I have 6 events already planned and would be more than happy to share a few tips!

Appreciate your clients!!!! Where on earth would you be without them?

My entire home smells like chicken. Not because I found a stray feathered friend, well not this time anyway, but because I spent at least three hours cooking for my Broker Open House.

I had the whole day planned out to a tea (that would be Sweet Tea, the gallons that grace my fridge). It was going to be fabulous. Good food, a great turn out, and a very happy seller. Basically everyone would be singing my praises.

The one minor detail I somehow overlooked, 100% chance of a freakin monsoon rain. I could have lived with that except for the freshly cleaned, almost completely white carpet. Hmmmmmf (said with serious conviction)!

You see the thing about a freakin monsoon rain, is no matter what I do I just can't fix it. It is one of real estates biggest freakin enemies lifes little road blocks. Like we don't have enough to face. I mean hey, tax laws, housing crash, mortgage roller coaster, overall distrust of the industry, and did I mention tax laws!?!? Why not throw in a freakin monsoon  little rain.

For those Realtors who have managed to survive one of the toughest economies in history, KUDOS! Hopefully we made it through the worst of  the freaking monsoon the storm.

Now, grabbing the umbrella and swimming heading out the door. Have a good Tuesday!

As my fingers attack the keys of my innocent laptop, I desperately try to remind myself that spouting off isn't always a great idea. Myself doesn't agree at this moment.

Sipping on my morning coffee, I was astounded by the news of the NFL strongly advising the small business owners of New Orleans to cease printing items with the "Who Dat" logo.

Excuse me???????

I agree that there is no tears in football. I have always agreed with that sentiment; however, when New Orleans beat the Vikings to secure a visit to Miami, I cried like a baby! It was a difficult reaction to describe to anyone who isn't from the region. It was more than a football game.

I watched helplessly not too many years ago when my entire childhood playground was devastated. I spent hours on the phone trying to find family and friends. I saw first hand the pain, the suffering, and the damaged soul of a city.

So Mr. NFL, I will tell you who owns "Who DAT?"

It is the people of a city who refused to give up. It is the small business owners who brick by brick cleaned, scraped, and fought to keep their doors open. It is a region that was so completely forgotten once CNN moved on to another story. It is the people of New Orleans and their loyal cousins in the Gulf Coast region.

I strongly support and encourage the printing, reprinting, repainting, and republishing of a phrase, no matter how silly, if it brings life, hope, and much needed revenue back to my region.

Carolina Village ended 2009 with a boom! We happily welcomed 16 familes into Beaufort's most charming community. Currently we are building for two more scheduled to move in March.

It is no wonder we are down to only 6 homes. Carolina Village has blossomed into a lovely, quaint, and very happy community.

It has been an absolute pleasure assisting home owners, agents, and contractors in developing this adorable neighborhood.

If you are in search of a home, give Carolina Village a look! But hurry, we move them quickly:)!

Beaufort, South Carolina is home to many special creatures. Our little town is blessed with a climate that attracts mother nature's most beautiful friends.

When sharing Beaufort with visitors it is always amazing to see and hear the reaction upon their first encounter with the dolphins.

I remember my first encounter and to this day, will stop whatever I am doing to watch them play.

There is a gentleness, a calmness, an angelic comfort that is felt almost instantly when they surround the boat.

Click here to watch them play, jump, and say hello to Beaufort Visitors.

It isn't by chance, or coincidence that so many legends come from these underwater guardians. Each time I am out and they choose to say hello, I am reminded how wonderfully lucky I am to live in a paradise that is always under watch by these beautiful beings.

If you have always wanted to see dolphins play, come down, up, over, or across to beautiful Beaufort South Carolina.

Any experienced Realtor knows very well the time it can take to find the right property. Although the warm spring days of April may seem a world away, it is much closer.

The expanded and extended tax credit is just one reason to pry yourself off of the buying fence. With the interest rate consistently perched at lower levels than many of us have seen, inventory primed due to high level of competition, and sellers willing to compromise; the perfect storm is upon us.

To the agents who are snuggled under the misconception that now is a slow time of year, may want to join the land of the living. If you are not prepared or preparing your clients, you will be left behind. This is not a slow season, it is the time to KNOW season. Get off the couch.

Educated buyers are empowered buyers. Buyers should be out looking at property now EVEN if they have no intention of writing an offer for several months.

Learn everything you can about the area, the cost of living, the typical appreciation, community fees, etc. What has sold recently? What is driving people to OR away from the area?

Employ the services of an experienced agent to help you navigate through the myriad of properties. Find those that fit your needs, meet most of your desires, and provide a stable residence for you and your family.

Interview lenders! Make a list of questions (call me, I can help) and take note of the answers. Interview at least three lenders as fees can vary substantially. Make absolutely certain that whomever you select is available to you. Unanswered calls turn quickly into unanswered questions which give way to failed transactions. Can they offer you more than ONE type of program? They should.

If home ownership is in your future, albeit not immediate, you are advised to begin the process. Don't rely on the buyers market; once inventory diminishes you will find yourself in a sellers world.

Again to my fellow Realtors, this is not a time for hibernation. Set systems in place, prepare your staff to readily supply the surge of buyers that will most certainly come.

I am ready. Myself as well as my team are armed with knowledge and tools necessary to provide numerous buyers (yes all at once) with everything that may need to maximize what just may be the best opportunity ever for home ownership.

If you are unsure of where to begin, call me. It is time to get answers. 

Maybe it stems from my former life as a teacher. Those preschoolers certainly had a way of putting just about all of life's quandaries in perspective. Having a bad morning? Hug someone. Fell and scraped your knee? Band-Aid. Feel like screaming? Scream as loud as possible for 5 minutes. Cured.

I remember well how quickly their sniffles, tears, and yes smiles could spread like wildfire through a hey barn. Which leads me to the comparison of the attitudinal atmosphere in the real estate industry. It isn't a far stretch to see the similarities in story time and association meetings. Humor me.

We all gather around as the teacher/speaker tries to hush our conversations. We all watch the teacher's pet to see if she gets to turn the page. 

We await anxiously for the story of the day!

There is and always will be that ONE. You know, the one in the group that says with conviction, "Dogs don't fly and I know it!".

The rest of us are two pages from bursting from imaginative excitement at the thought of the possibilities of flying dogs!

Well, real estate is certainly no different. It is a new year. I am still alive (checking pulse to verify). I still love my job. And, I am not embarrassed to say I AM A REALTOR. Yes, it is hard work. (hence the title work not hobby)

I am confident that if the few, the proud, THE HAPPY, actually spoke up a bit more; the result would be a completely different view. It is contagious.

So sellers, tell that overly concerned neighbor, that YES you do think your house will sell.

Buyers, quiet the advice streaming from Aunt Linda who still thinks the world will end at the stroke of midnight. 

It is OK, you are OK. Continuing on positively with your goals will, in fact, be a better move than crying in your play dough!

So If You're Happy And You Know it Clap Your Hands! And if necessary carefully place them over the mouth of that annoying naysayer who never grew up:)

It is a New Year!! Happy Selling:)