Yea, yea, he is kinda cute, talks at the speed of light and has an eternal tan, but he isn't my guy. Well for starters, he isn't here in Beaufort, SC offering his time and experience for peanuts ( peanut butter would be better).

My guy is pretty much OCD (obsessive compulsive). Sometimes that makes my days a bit (extremely, totally, mind boggling difficult, almost impossible) tough but when it comes to educating new homeowners it is a wonderful gift.

It occurred to me during one of our final walk-through's that maybe we aren't doing enough to educate buyers on what it really takes to maintain a home. Heck y'all, I learned something new and I have owned for years.

I am beginning to realize the need for taking the time to explain, educate, and enlightenon matters of home ownership. There are so many things a homeowner can do without going to the expense of calling backup!

SOOOO.....Ty Pennington, you keep on making me cry during those darn Extreme Makeovers (actually I call them make up removers....the mascara flows!) but we are going to make sure to pass on valuable information to those who want to take full advantage of their investment.

My Carolina Village Builder and I are offering FREE (well you do have to donate 2 canned goods)home ownership classes. It will be tons of fun, and not to mention help make a difference at our local food banks. Everything from the roof to the toilet will be covered. No doubt there will be laughs, "a ha's" and maybe even a "wow" or two.

So email me today to reserve your spot:)

Ahhh yes.  Today is the 234th birthday of the Marine Corps.  I don't think it's any coincidence that the Corps started in a bar, do you?

Whether you call them gyrenes, jarheads, leathernecks, devildogs, husband/wife, son/daughter or boyfriend/girlfriend, they are devastatingly good looking in their dress blues, no?

Now, the Marine Corps has many traditions and the one most closely associated with THE BIRTHDAY is the Birthday Ball.

I have attended plenty of Birthday balls and although these fetes start off as formal, they don't end that way.  I could make the post about Ball antics, but I would like to refrain.

Even if there is no Birthday Ball, there is always a cake cutting ceremony.  The oldest and the youngest Marines in attendance receive the first two pieces. 

Marines greet each other on this day with a hearty "Happy Birthday" as if it were their own and in a very real way, it is.

I suppose I could go on and on about why I love working with so many of these amazing people, why I love the traditions of the Corps, why I love their loyalty to their fellow Marines, and why I love each one I have had the honor of calling friend. 

 Maybe another day...

Today, I'll just say,"Happy Birthday" to the Marines and the people who love them.

I have the answer, so sue me. I can't help that I know what men want. It takes years of patience, creativity, patience, and did I mention patience? Not too mention, an odd list of hobbies and shared interests.  So here it is fellas, (and ladies who wanna be "in the know")...

Exactly what men want:

The Hunt

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/  This is the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources  you can direct any questions about rules and regulations and the different seasons.

Places in Beaufort to purchase Licenses:

• Grayco (local hardware store, located on Ladys Island)
• Wal-Mart
• K-Mart 
• Beaufort Boat and Dock Supply (located in Port Royal)

Online is probably easiest because you can order all at once and get it mailed directly to you.

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/gamez6.pdf   

This link is to game zone 6. This is for Beaufort and surrounding areas that gives all hunting information on any game and the times of year that they may be harvested.

The Catch

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/saltwaterfish.html      This is the link to all the measurements and limits of saltwater fish that can be kept.

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/saltwaterfish.html   This is the link will walk you through the process of purchasing a license online. (preferably from a recliner:)

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/crabregs.html    This is the link for shellfish regulations. ( These are crabs, oysters, clams lobsters etc)

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/shrimpregs.html   This is all the shrimping information whether you are baiting or just out catching dinner. It tells all the do's and don't(s) that are involved.

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating.html   This link provides all the information for purchasing and registering boats or jet skis. It also will help you avoid fines!!

So there you go! Enjoy!

Are you considering selling your Beaufort, SC home? Or maybe you are researching the local market before purchasing..either way, this is a fantastic tool.

Just enter your information, and within moments an UP to THE MINUTE, accurate real estate market report is in your inbox!

If you have any questions about your market report, please feel free to email or call! I am happy to help.

Shopping is an important activity which visitors enjoy, and locals take pride in the eclectic and the upscale offerings in addition to regular retail opportunities providing necessities.

Art and antiques are plentiful with an amazing number of local artists represented in the local galleries and shops.

Gifts and specialties are unique finds unlike items seen in other locations. The downtown historic district of Beaufort is a walking town where many beautifully restored structures invite visitors into a shopping experience combined with interesting architecture.

Local authors are often available for signing their work in delightful book stores and shops.

Rural galleries and shops can fill a day or two with browsing at marvelous folk art, some produced by native Gullah people who can explain the African heritage still observed in the crafts.

Bluffton and Port Royal offer interesting locally-owned shops with choices of crafts, art, antiques and specialty gift items.

You will find something for everyone on your Christmas list this year. Make sure to take a trip to Downtown Beaufort, SC or The Village of Port Royal, SC!

Happy Shopping!

I am torn. For a while, I was posting at least once a day, sometimes more. My Facebook account was spit-shined with updated pictures and snappy quotes. It isn't that I wasn't producing, but I must admit once I stuck my head back in the real world (aka had actual not virtual conversations, visited instead of tweeted, talked instead of text, and actually hand wrote a few thank you notes) my business certainly did not suffer.

I don't think the virtual world has become such a force that it can replace a smile, a handshake, or a shared cup of coffee. I do believe it has nurtured friendships that otherwise would not exist as well as made us all a bit more aware of the world beyond our porch.

Active Rain has proven to be a wonderful asset to my business. I have learned. I have laughed. I have met some great people. It is a tool I will continue to use as it has proven effective.

Without a doubt social media will continue to etch it's mark in our industry. Maybe I am a bit behind or a bit old-fashioned, or maybe just a bit old...but I think it will be a sad day if social media ever replaces social graces.

I am so happy to offer you up to the minute, accurate real estate statistics. Now you can click on Market Snapshot for an immediate report on current trends that effect your neighborhood.

Thinking of selling? It is a great way for you to research comparable homes. Just enter your address and in moments you can view all recent sales.

Thinking of purchasing? Enter the address of homes of interest to educate yourself about the trends in that area.

I will continue to send you reports monthly. I am confident this will be an invaluable source of information.