Rural Charleston County - McClellanville and Awendaw Real Estate Expert

Town Resurges 20 Years After Hurricane Hugo

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:17:24 -0500

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Hurricane Hugo muddied McClellanville’s timeline. The town has made anamazing comeback and it’s finally to the point that you don’t hear that four-letter word in everyday communication now. I certainly couldn’t say that 10 years ago. Time was still measured in terms of “before Hugo” and “after Hugo”, but that past is becoming more and more distant. This anniversary will come and go and my phone will cease to ring from reporters who read my first article about Hugo looking for an interview, maybe a before and after article or a “Where are They Now” piece to catch America up on what the little Village that could has been up to. They want me to point them in the direction of the best scoop, the biggest tear-jerker, or most triumphant return from despair. Well the truth is that’s the whole Village, that’s McClellanville. Read the rest at MyMcClellanville.net

Pepper Plantation, Awendaw, SC

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:35:12 -0500

Pepper Plantation is an equestrian-themed private community in Awendaw, SC near the Wando River. The community offers horse-friendly amenities such as a 1/4 mile race track, 4 stall barn, lunging ring, and 6 miles of riding trails winding through over 150 acres of community property. There is also a lodge and a newly built lakeside clubhouse, that features nearly 7,000 square feet of covered entertaining area perfect for oyster roasts, weddings, and other special events.

Near the Clubhouse, there is a dock stretching out across one of the many lakes in Pepper Plantation with a large gazebo. A nearby dock offers a great place for fishing in the recently stocked pond or enjoy a paddle around the lake in a kayak. There is also a gazebo overlooking the Wando River tucked away on a riding trail. Paradise Island Public Boat Landing, less than a mile away, offers quick and easy water access and great marsh views.

Pepper Plantation offers 31 building lots ranging from 1.5 to 5 acres in size. Pepper Plantation has Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Architectural Review Board Guidelines in place to to maintain the community standards.

Directions to Pepper Plantation: From Mount Pleasant Town Center - 7 miles north on US-17, Left on Chandler Road and go 0.4 miles, entrance is on the left. Pepper Plantation is just a few miles from the new Wando High School.

Visit AwendawLiving.com or Contact Daniel Bates for more information or to schedule a tour.

Homes for Sale on Pepper Plantation - Land for Sale on Pepper Plantation - Search All MLS

Paradise Island, Awendaw, SC

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:31:23 -0500

Paradise Island is a 340 acre private waterfront community in Awendaw, SC on the Wando River, where most properties enjoy deep water access and great fishing. The property is also bounded by the Francis Marion National Forest, which provides protection against further development in the surrounding area.

Two Paradises?

There is one rather confusing thing about Paradise Island. There are basically two separate communities on the island. The eastern tip of the island is known as “Old Paradise Island” or simply “Paradise Island” and was developed in the early 1980’s. The western side of the island was developed in early 2000’s and is known as “Big Paradise Island”. You’ll see on MLS that real estate agents list them all as “Paradise Island”, but it is important to know which a home or lot for sale in a part of because each has different covenants, HOA fees, and amenities.

Old Paradise Island

The eastern tip of Paradise Island has a dirt road and mostly one story ranch homes that date back to the early 1980’s and 1990’s. They look out over the picturesque Wando River and most have deep-water docks.

Big Paradise Island

The western side of Paradise Island was developed as a planned unit development and is often called “Big Paradise Island”. Many beautiful luxury homes have been built and many lots offering great waterfront views are still available. Unlike most of Awendaw, Paradise Island has public sewage and water courtesy of Mount Pleasant Waterworks. Big Paradise Island has the same great Wando River views as Old Paradise Island.

Big Paradise Island is governed by Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.

Directions to Paradise Island: From Mount Pleasant Town Center - 10 miles north on US-17, Left on Guerins Bridge Road and go 1.6 miles, Left on Woodville Road and go 1.1 miles, Right on Paradise Island Road and go 1.6 miles. It’s quite a peaceful drive through the country (horse pastures and marshy expanses) which takes about 20 minutes.

Visit AwendawLiving.com or Contact Daniel Bates for more information or to schedule a tour.

Homes for Sale on Paradise Island - Land for Sale on Paradise Island - Search All MLS

How to Keep Up with it All: A Begginers Guide to Tech-Savviness

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:14:35 -0500

I see a lot of comments on AR about not being able to "keep up with it all". The fact that you're spending your time on AR and commenting to the point that you have hundreds of thousands of points (or wish to have that many) shows that you have some misplaced energy. Luckily there are a few AR bloggers that are kind enough to educate the unlearned, but why not try to educate yourself. So here are my steps to gaining your real estate career/blogging independance:

1) Step back from AR a little. If you're using AR as your main source of real estate education, blogging, friendship, and advertising than you should open your eyes a little more. AR is an amzing tool, but just as you wouldn't try to beat a nail into a board with a screwdriver or tighten a bolt with a hammer, you have to use the tool correctly to get the proper results.

2) Get an "outside" blog. You need a blog that shows your professionalism and commitment to this business as well as one that gives off a personal side of yourself and helps people get to know you. Note: this is not permission to blog about the death of your pet or any other such nonsense, I said professionalism.

3) Open a feedreader account. Google is probably the most common, I use Yahoo, and there are several others. They all do the same thing, it's just an interface and personal preference choice.

4) Subscribe to other blogs. Subscribe to your competition and any other agents who you find interesting and on top of their game. There are also hundreds of blogs about blogging and real estate that you try out.

In the beggining take it slow. Spend a few minutes each day reading the latest posts that catch your eye. Start with a just a few websites and spread from there. If you stumble on a new site with a good post, subscribe and see if they write more, if it turns out that it was a fluke and you haven't seen anything interesting or educational from them in a few weeks, take them off your list.

Here are my personal favorite blogs to get you started:

Problogger - Focused on ad based web profit, but still has some extremely useful information for all bloggers

Agentgenius - for agents, by agents - good information and well written articles on the latest RE technology

Real Estate Tomato - Lots of good guest posts as well as simple explanations of complex ideas

SEOptimize - SEO tips for bloggers to show up higher in the search results

Copyblogger - Better writing = better articles = more clients

This is not a complete list, but I've started you out with a taste of what's out there in several different arenas of blogging. These 5 sites have never dissappointed me and will also lead you to many other good sites. I guess I should warn you that there are no points for commenting on their sites, but you may find a personal reward for adding your two cents and continuing a good online conversation.

Tip: Don't limit your learning to simply the content of the article, but also it's layout, title, pictures, links, etc.

PS - Didn't mean to get on such an Anti-AR rant, I really enjoy this site, but think that a lot of agents are limiting themselves by focusing solely on it. I guess we'll see if the AR Gods approve and feature the article, but I'd like to think that they want you to be the best agent you can be even if that includes leaving their servers for a few brief moments to experience the rest of the web and share it with their other users.

Awendaw, SC - Rural, Coastal Retreat

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:40:50 -0500

Awendaw, SC is located just north of the Charleston Area and offers true peace and tranquility. It is protected by the Francis Marion National Forest to the west and Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge to the east. These areas make Awendaw rich in natural amenities such as; great fishing, boating, kayaking, hunting, nature watching, biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

Most of Awendaw operates on well and septic systems, although public water and sewage may be soon introduced to various areas. Large tracts of undeveloped land (50+ acres) spot the countryside and individual building lots are considerably larger than those in most urban areas. It rapidly growing area but still remains a hodgepodge where you may find a gated neighborhood next to a large undeveloped tract of land next to waterfront community next to a farm. Awendaw is a great escape from city life and a place where you can home to and relax and unwind.

Awendaw's unique characteristics make it very important for people looking to buy or sell a home or land in Awendaw to have an experienced local real estate agent. My name is Daniel Bates and I’m a local real estate agent and outdoor enthusiast. I specialize in Awendaw and McClellanville because these are places that I like to call home. When you're ready to enjoy South Carolina's last protected rural coast, give me a call at 843-513-2461 and I will be happy to help you find the right home for you.

Visit AwendawLiving.com for more information about Awendaw, SC.

26 Mouzons Bluff - Lowest Priced Watefront in McClellanville

Sat, 31 May 2008 19:27:37 -0500

Lowest Priced McClellanville Waterfront Lot

26 Mouzons Bluff – 1 Acre - $225,000

This beautiful waterfront lot is part of the Mouzon’s Bluff Community in McClellanville. This peaceful neighborhood in a quiet rural setting is just minutes from McClellanville’s historic district, shops, restaurants and boat landing. The lot has over 100 feet of frontage on Otter Creek which flows into Jeremy Creek near the Intracoastal Waterway. Otter Creek is a tidal creek that is about 50 feet wide at this property and accessible by boat on half tide and higher.

This lot will also enjoy use of the future community dock on the Intracoastal Waterway just a few hundred yards away as well as a natural creekside park. Views across the bluff to the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge may be possible from upper floors of your home. The lot is nicely wooded with many mature oaks and palmettos and has a 1/3 acre green space on one side. Please feel free to walk the property or call Daniel at (843) 513-2461 for a tour of the area or more information. DHEC septic Permit in hand.

McClellanville Real Estate Listing Data

Sat, 31 May 2008 19:26:12 -0500

The Power of Presence?

I got a postcard a few days ago from an area real estate company with the words “The Power of Presence” printed across a map showing their various office locations through the tri-county area. Can you guess where there wasn’t an office? That’s right, the closest office to McClellanville is over 30 minutes away. W.P. Baldwin & Associates is proud to be the only real estate company with an office in the heart of McClellanville’s historic district at 829 Pinckney Street. Real estate is much more than just physical presence though. W.P. Baldwin & Associates is a part of McClellanville, from the local event that we sponsor to the time we spend making the community a better place to work, live, and play. I know it sounds corny, but we care about the people that live here because they’re not just our customers, they’re our neighbors.

The Data

Personally, I don’t think presence is something that should be bragged about, but it is important information for consumers to know when choosing a real estate company. The following charts were recently compiled from data collected from the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Services (CTARMLS). MLS always qualifies their data by saying that it is “deemed reliable but not guaranteed”, so I will too. The data presented includes both homes and land sold in McClellanville except those sold privately by owner. In MLS, “McClellanville” is a user-defined term and often includes properties falling a few miles outside of the town limits, such as Tibwin. The data represents both the buyer agent and listing agent data from each real estate transaction and is broken down by real estate office.

Our Piece of the Pie

You can see from the charts that W.P. Baldwin & Associates has participated in far more real estate transactions in McClellanville than any other real estate company. Over the past three years we have gained a greater and greater market share. Although we are still leading in 2008, the data only includes properties sold from January 1^st to May 24^th and which is really too few sales to accurately draw a conclusion at this point. W.P. Baldwin & Associates recognizes that if not for the valued support of the community, we would never have achieved these goals and humbly thank you. We remain committed to the area and will continue to serve the current community as well as those wanting to join it.

David Vs. Goliath

One drive through town and you can see for yourself and W.P. Baldwin has more land and homes for sale than any other company. You might think that this kind of market share would only be possible from a large national chain or a huge team of agents, but W.P. Baldwin & Associates remains a small company with a handful of local agents invested in the future of McClellanville. Our size allows us to customize our services with each individual the same way my grandfather did almost 50 years ago when he founded this company. You can count on personal and professional treatment when you come in our office or call us on the phone and not to be treated like a number or a “lead”. The national chains like to brag about about exposure and selling power but W.P. Baldwin & Associates has a proven marketing strategy and chooses to let the numbers speak for themselves.

Fewer Days on Market

I think the most powerful information that I found while compiling this data was when I looked at all the property sold in McClellanville from 1/1/05 to 5/24/08. W.P. Baldwin & Associates listed 62 properties which sold after an average of 101 days on the market. All other real estate companies combined listed 81 properties which sold after an average of 152 days on the market. W.P. Baldwin & Associates listed 43% of the property sold in McClellanville since 2005 and sold them in 1/3 less of the time of the competition. I would say that those are numbers you can “take to the bank”, but when you list with W.P. Baldwin & Associates, your house will sell faster and you will go to bank a lot less often to make those mortgage payments.

McClellanville's Deerhead Honored as Heritage Tree of the Year

Sat, 31 May 2008 19:22:46 -0500

On May 10th, 2008 the Deerhead Oak was dedicated as South Carolina’s 2007 Heritage Tree of the Year. The McClellanville Tree Committee sponsored the event held in the shady branches of the town’s landmark live oak at the corner of Oak Street and Pinckney Street. A plaque commemorating Deerhead Oak as the Heritage Tree for 2007 was unveiled as well as a second plaque honoring the Beckman family (the owners of the land on which Deerhead Oak rests) for their gracious contribution to McClellanville’s greenspace and the town’s history.

Click Here for more information about McClellanville's Deerhead Oak.

Charleston County Parks Proposes Purchase of 812 Acres near McClellanville

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:16:52 -0500

A recent Post & Courier article about Charleston County Parks and Recreation plans to purchase a large track of land Two Pines Road came to a big surprise to myself and everyone I’ve talked to the past few days, so I’ve done a little more research to fill people in on the facts. Two Pines is a small community of a dozen or so homeowners along the Intracoastal Waterway just south of McClellanville and north of Tibwin. The proposed 812 acre tract begins at Highway 17 and continues on both sides of Two Pines Road until it reaches the waterfront residences. Click Here to read the rest of this article.

“The New Daughter” Comes to McClellanville

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:40:27 -0600

I can now confirm my earlier post about the filming of the new Kevin Costner movie, The New Daughter, here in McClellanville. Film crews are already in the area and filming is slated to begin February 18th. I have been working with the films housing manager to help them find suitable McClellanville Rentals for all the cast and crew.

The New Daughter is a horror/thriller movie, in which Kevin Costner plays a single father who’s daughter starts acting strangely after moving to a new house in the country that happens to have burial mounds on the property. Ivano Baquero, who starred as the young girl in Pan’s Labrinth, will be playing the role of the daughter. Costner has starred in (and often directed and produced as well) more hollywood blockbusters than you can shake a stick at including Field of Dreams, Dances with Wolves, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Waterworld, Wyatt Earp, Tin Cup, 3000 Miles to Graceland, and The Guardian to name a few.

McClellanville Hires New Deputy Town Marshal and I Get to Retire

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:57:42 -0600

Some of you may be aware that I was the Deputy Town Marshal for McClellanville. I was deputized shortly after moving back here after being a police officer in Rock Hill for 4 years, because I was the most experiences person for the job. After over a year of faithful service I decided that I didn’t have the time to devote to the job that it required and asked the Town to find a replacement. This week I handed over this position to Barron Duke, who many of you may already know as the man who picks up the trash.

Larry McClellan remains McClellanville’s Town Marshal, the Deputy position falls under him and performs the duty of enforcing the parking around town and launching (with a launch permit) at the boating landing. There is also the occasional wild animal call or barking dog problem. Compared to my previous law enforcement duties the job was pretty simple.

What is a Town Marshal?

This is not the same as the U.S. Marshal (like the Tommy Lee Jones movie) that are in charge of escorting and capturing federal prisoners. The Town Marshal position isn’t very common, because most larger towns have their own police department and unincorporated areas and smaller towns fall under the a particular counties Sheriff’s Office, as does McClellanville. However, McClellanville is at the edge of Charleston County and in all my years growing up here I probably saw 3 Sheriff’s Deputies on routine patrol. You’ll see them quite regularly now, but I think the town has held onto the Marshal position in an effort to relieve the Sheriff’s Office of some of the more mundane work and as a service to the town members. People don’t like the image given off by a police car in their front yard when they have a little problem with a neighbors barking dog and also don’t feel comfortable discussing their problems with a stranger. The Town Marshal often acts as a more comfortable (no badge, no uniform, no cruiser) and usually familiar, third-party, mediator when problems occur between neighbors.

I personally think the position is a little confusing, because the general public doesn’t know the difference between a violation of a town ordinance and state law. I think some guidance from the town is necessary to clear up this ambiguity, but I will tell you that if you are in doubt than you should call the Sheriff’s Office or dial 911 if it is an emergency. The Town Marshal does not go around locking people up. He usually doesn’t investigate drug cases, assaults, or stolen property… luckily we don’t have too much of this stuff to worry about anyway. The Marshals position is strictly limited to the enforcement of town ordinances. These things include such incidences as vicious animals, nuisances (including barking dogs), parking violations, etc.

On a personal note, I’ve met several of the Charleston County Sheriffs Deputies that patrol these parts and trained with several of the ones that work in other parts of the county and find them to be professional, courteous, and caring about the needs of the area. If you should ever need their services, don’t hesitate to call (the non-emergency line is 843–202–1700) and ask for a Deputy to come speak with you.

A McClellanville Year in Review: Saying Goodbye to 2007

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:56:40 -0600

2008 came quietly at the Bates house. Noah, my son, was visiting with his grandparents and Josie and I were in bed well before midnight. I was actually asleep when the ball dropped, a nice change from my old policing days when I seemed to always being working on New Years Eve (probably the worst night of the year to work) and arresting drunks and drunken drivers until daybreak.

Looking back on the year it has been full of many great events for me. I became a father and have learned more about myself through that process than I ever thought possible. We built our first new home in McClellanville and are still unpacking boxes after almost 6 months being here (a newborn tends to slow things down). I started this blog (website) and continue to learn more and more about web design, writing, marketing, and the people and places of McClellanville. I repaired and began managing a vacation rental property that has so far been successful.

It was a slow year for real estate in McClellanville with only 11 homes and 20 lots sold. This compared to the record 2005 and 2006 years where 18 homes sold each year and 32 and 34 lots sold respectively. The national news is saying that the “experts” predict a slow real estate market until 2009. I think if they were really experts, they wouldn’t be making blanket statements about something as localized as real estate and that the media is warping the general population’s attitude toward buying (but that’s another story). Prices had risen quite high in the years prior and we have witnessed a moderate correction in those prices this year. I don’t feel that we will experience any more reduction in price and that buyers that have been waiting for things to stabilize will soon recognize the deals that can be found in McClellanville when compared to other coastal areas.

In the new year, I plan to continue to cover many of the local McClellanville events, but I’d also like to go into detail about some of the things you hear about around town (breaking down the gossip and reporting the truth) and read about in the town newsletter. I am going to do more background articles about some of the local attractions and finish my neighborhood spotlight series. I’m also going to roll out a new interactive map and put together some great new contest to reward my loyal readers out there.

All in all it was a great year and with any luck 2008 will be ever better.

PS – Don’t forget to pick up a new 2008 boat landing launch sticker at the town hall.

McClellanville Goes Hollywood...Again

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:51:53 -0600

The Post and Courier reported today that McClellanville may be the new site for the filming of a horror movie called “The New Daughter” starring Kevin Costner. The article reports that McClellanville and Edisto Island are two possible locations for the filming and that a production studio has made it’s home in Charleston. The film is based on a story by John Connolly which takes place in rural Illinois. This leads one to wonder what McClellanville and Illinois share visually, but I guess thats where they say a film is “loosely” based on a novel.

Of course this isn’t the first time McClellanville has attracted the attention of Hollywood...Read the rest of the story at MyMcClellanville.net

McClellanville Neighborhood Spotlight: Mouzon's Bluff

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:59:08 -0500

Welcome to Mouzon’s Bluff, A waterfront community on Skipper’s Point in McClellanville. Before I continue I feel it necessary to disclose that I am related to several property owners that have an interest in Mouzon’s Bluff. I also think it is necessary to share that I live here and think it is going to be a great community as more houses are built. While no other homes have been built, the initial phase of wooded lots sold quickly.

This new community maintains the casual way of life of McClellanville and preserves the natural beauty of the land. Large wooded lots are the perfect place to tuck your house in among the indigenous palmettos, oaks, and pines. Otter Creek winds through the development and offers homeowners a place to catch a glimpse of wildlife at the waters’ edge or launch a kayak and explore their surroundings. All lots will share access to a future community dock on the Intracoastal Waterway as well as green spaces and a natural park on Otter Creek.

The wooded lots are all an acre or more in size and surrounded by a beautiful natural setting. With the community dock and creekfront park, these lots truly offer owners an affordable options while still having access to the water.

The creekfront lots offer the view and enjoyment of the pristine Otter Creek at your back door. Enjoy crabbing, fishing, or even launch a canoe or kayak and go explore your natural settings in this quiet tidal creek. Boat access is possible from mid to high tide, however stationary docks are excluded in order to maintain the natural beauty of the area.

The lots on the Intracoastal Waterway have not yet been released, but the unspoiled view of the barrier islands of Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge is amazing. This land is much higher than most coastal property in McClellanville, because it has been built up from dredging the waterway, so the view from a raised home will be even better. The future homes here will enjoy great coastal breezes and easy access to the prime fishing grounds and tranquil beaches of Bulls Bay.

Lots for Sale in Mouzon’s Bluff

A Paddle Down Otter Creek - Local Kayaking

Do You Recycle?

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:38:30 -0500

Happy Blog Action Day!

Today is the first ever “Blog Action Day”, in which 15,000 bloggers (website owners) have agreed to post an article on the same subject with the aim of changing the world. This years topic is the environment. That’s it, no complicated rules, just try to change the world. Some of the sites involved have tens of thousands of readers and they have agreed to donate this days proceeds to a charity. My reach isn’t as large and I don’t make any money here, but I would like to share my thoughts and hopefully change my little corner of the world.

The Life of William P. Baldwin

Growing up my biggest hero was my grandfather, who also founded the real estate company I work for today. He was a biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife and was one of natures greatest proponents. He could give you the scientific name of every plant and animal in the lowcountry and name every bird just by hearing their call. His loggerhead sea turtle research done in the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge was ahead of its time and is still being used today. He found his “in” in the real estate business because he managed a plantation and became known among all the wealthy plantation owners as an expert. Therefore, when it came to selling them, they naturally trusted him. My grandfather’s death when I was twelve was a life changing event and I have tried to live a life that would make him proud ever since. Becoming a father has made me want to protect our natural resources even more so that I can share the same enjoyment I have for nature with my son. I think you can’t help but to feel a special connection with nature when you grow up in a place like McClellanville.

Who Wants to Recycle?

I would like to gauge the interest in town for adding recycling pick-up to the regular trash pick-up. It seem that in an area that is so rich in environmental beauty and socially conscience people that we should be setting a better example. I save my bottles and cans and take them to the dump every couple of weeks, but I wonder how many other people do too. I think that many more would recycle if they simply had to put set them out at the side of the road. I don’t blame the town because I don’t think enough people have voiced their opinion in the past. The town enters into yearly contracts for trash pickup. Currently, we have trash pick-up twice a week. If there is enough interest in a recycling pick-up day, the could include the service in next years bid for the contract. The town budget is pretty tight and this may result in a slight tax increase. I don’t want to see taxes go up any more than you do, but we only get one planet so lets try to protect it as best we can.

Help Make a Difference

In the next week I will be looking into the costs associated with the recycling pick-up. If you would like to see the town take a proactive step toward saving the planet and encouraging people to recycle by providing regular recycling pickup, please leave your comments below (if there isn’t a place to leave comment, click on the title of this article and scroll down) or contact me directly with your thoughts. I spoke with a council member and was told that a petition is a very good way to show that there is a strong interest for a cause. If you would like to help get signatures, please contact me. Otherwise, keep your eyes open around town for the petitions and help support mother earth.

McClellanville Fishing Tournament

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 07:34:12 -0500

Put some new line on your reels and scout out your secret fishing holes, because November 3^rd is the 16^th Annual McClellanville Creek Tournament. The event is sponsored by Archibald Rutledge Academy and 50% of all the proceeds go to supporting the school. The rest is up for grabs for the contestants, with 25% going to 1^st place, 15% to 2nd, and 10% to 3^rd place.

Points are given to fishermen with the biggest legal bass, trout, and flounder and bonus points are given to boats that catch all three. As always there will be some great door prizes so even if you get skunked, you still have a chance of going home with something great. Boats with a child of 15 and under also qualify to win the Youth Angler Award.

This is a rain or shine event that starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. at the McClellanville Boat Landing. You can find out all the rules and get an entry form at ARA’s website. Local businesses wanting to sponsor the event and have their name on the t-shirt or posters can also find a form on the their website.

McClellanville Rentals Offers Full Service Property Management

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 07:31:53 -0500

McClellanville Rentals

McClellanvilleRentals.com is your one-stop source for homes to rent in McClellanville. I offer full service property management for full and part-time vacation rentals as well as monthly and yearly leases. Whether you have a home to rent or need a rental, you can now let McClellanvilleRentals.com be your guide. McClellanvilleRentals.com is the only website devoted to the McClellanville rental market and matching home owners with renters.

Home Owners

Renting your home is a great way to have your home work for you instead of you always working for your home. It’s also a good substitute to selling your home when the market slows and can help out with those mortgage payments if you’re not staying in a home year-round. Turn your home into a money-making opportunity without lifting a finger. I’ll handle all the advertising and marketing, find the right renter for you, and handle all the paperwork. I’ll even arrange for cleaning and household and yard maintenance. Call me today and take the worry out of renting!

Renters

Searching for a home to rent can be a tedious journey. McClellanvilleRentals.com takes the work out of searching for a rental, whether it’s just for a weekend getaway or a temporary place to call home. Visit McClellanvilleRentals.com and search the current rentals. If you don’t see something that suits you, you can contact me with your needs and I will let you know as soon as something matching your needs becomes available.

McClellanville Creek Sweep

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 07:44:36 -0500

The rain held out for paddling participants in the 2007 McClellanville Creek Sweep this Saturday. McClellanville locals Sherry Browne and Cheves Leland organized the event which was part of South Carolina’s 19th Annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep, the state’s largest volunteer cleanup event of its kind.

Around two dozen volunteers hopped in kayaks and paddled through the marshes of Jeremy Creek in search of debris. There were drinks, coupons, door prizes and all the garbage bags you could fill. Kathy Livingston of Nature Adventure Outfitters, which does local kayaking tours, even donated kayaks for people that were without.

My wife and I participated and focused our attention on the southern side of Jeremy creek, filling our canoe with trash in no time. I wish I had taken more pictures of the mornings adventures, but it was hard enough balancing in the canoe and picking up trash without having to worry about dropping my digital camera in the water.

In all about 40 bags of trash were gathered in just 2 hours. Lots of plastic soda bottles and aluminum beer cans! A majority of the trash was able to be recycled, which means we not only beautified the earth but also prevented much of the waste from filling up a landfill.

Did you miss all the fun? Well cleaning the creek doesn’t have to be a once-a-year event, you can do it any time!

New Waterfront Vacation Rental in McClellanville, SC - near Charleston and Myrtle Beach

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:49:39 -0500

Palmer’s Point - 514 Romain Road, McClellanville, SC

• 4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths – Accommodates 10 people
• 2 Queen, 1 Double with Single, 3 Single
• Waterfront Home in Quiet Wooded Setting
• Deep Water Dock on Jeremy Creek
• Fully Furnished, Linens, Kitchenware, Pots and Pans
• Refrigerator, Microwave, Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer, and BBQ Grill
• Screened Porch with Ceiling Fan overlooking the creek
• Large Central Living Room and separate TV area
• TV’s, DVD, VCR, High-speed Internet Access
• Minutes from McClellanville’s restaurants, shops, museum, and boat landing
• 30 minutes from Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, and Georgetown
• 1 hour from Charleston and Myrtle Beach

McClellanville, SC is a quaint fishing village that offers an escape from city life. It is the perfect place for a family-friendly vacation or romantic getaway to leave your worries behind you for a week of R&R. Built on the Palmer’s Plantation home site, this beautiful home is set among the most beautiful live oaks draped with Spanish moss that you will ever see.

This gorgeous waterfront home has 4 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and accommodates 10 people. There is a deep-water dock where you can tie up your boat for the week or just enjoy crabbing, fishing, or watching the sun set. Watch the boats pass by from the large central living room or adjacent screened-porch. Home is completely furnished and comes with linens and kitchenware.

This relaxing rural retreat is just across the creek from the Historic District and its great restaurants, shops, museum, and boat landing. McClellanville is also conveniently located just an hour from historic Charleston and Myrtle Beach and just 30 minutes from Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant, and Georgetown. Enjoy McClellanville’s small town charm with easy access to shopping, site-seeing, golfing, the beach, and nightlife.

Rental Rates: $200/day, with 3 day minimum, $1200/week (7 days)

Includes Linens, Cleaning Fee, and Accommodation Tax

Click Here for a Printable Flyer of this Property

Click Here to Contact Daniel or Make a Reservation

The Crab Pot: New Management, New Menu, New Name

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:04:44 -0500

The Crab Pot has been a long standing McClellanville staple and a lure of highway travelers hoping for a taste of local seafood. New local managers, Erin and Buster Browne are shaking things up in the kitchen and bringing their fresh new ideas and recipes to the place. Locals remember Buster as the former owner of T.W. Graham (I still slip up and call it Buster's on occasions). His daughter, Erin, is a graduate of Johnson & Wales Culinary School and has been shaping her talents traveling abroad and working at Pinckney Street Kitchen.

The pair say that the food is traditional southern style cooking with a Caribbean flare. They're also quick to point out that there's something on for everyone on the menu, but they're happy to take special orders also. They will feature weekly specials using the latest local catches. The menu, based on "whatever is coming off the boat", includes fresh local shrimp, fish, and oysters (when in season). Buster added, "Our philosophy is simple - support the locals and the locals will support you". USDA Prime hand-cut steaks and burgers served with homemade fries also top the menu.

Included in the overhaul will be a change of name for the restaurant. "Isi" might sound like an exclusive black-tie-only downtown Charleston restaurant, but locals should know that they're still welcome in their casual apparel. Erin said "we're also going to call it ‘Buster's Other Place'", in reference to his former restaurant now amicably owned by Pete & Claudia.

Erin and Buster will be gradually implementing their changes to prepare for their grand re-opening later this Fall. They've already repainted and plan on covering the porch and moving the Sandy Point Bar outside in order to make the dining room a no smoking establishment. Changes to the menu have already begun, but they feel the most important change has already been made and that was going back to serving only local seafood. Tuesday night is trivia night and they also plan on having regular oyster roasts and live music in the future. So stop by and give them a try!

Business Hours: Mon-Sat 11-2 & 4-9, Sunday Brunch 9-2

Click Here to Enter to Win a Free Dinner for Two at the Crab Pot

Affordable Waterfront Property on Tidal Creek

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 13:03:08 -0500

22 Mouzons Bluff - $345,000

This 3/4 acre lot on Otter Creek is on Skipper's Point in McClellanville and offers privacy and tranquility at an affordable price. As if this wasn't enough, you will also enjoy access (within walking distance) to the planned Community Dock on the Intracoastal Waterway and natural, creek side park.

Otter Creek, which flows into Jeremy Creek near it's mouth to the Intracoastal Waterway, is about 30 to 40 feet wide and is navigable by smaller boats (20′ and under) at half-tide and higher. At low tide the creek does run dry and it is not suitable for a dock, but it would be great for launching kayaks and canoes and nature watching in your own backyard wilderness.

This beautiful lot was recently cleared of underbrush and has many mature Palmettos and Oaks. DHEC septic approval has been granted for the environmentally-friendly Orinco Septic System. A Home Owners Association is in place to maintain the private roads and facilities. Covenants and Restrictions are also in place to preserve the value and enjoyment of property owners. There is no time limit to build, making it great for investors and people thinking about their future retirement.

A Paddle Down Otter Creek and Memory Lane

McClellanville Real Estate

Affordable Vacant Land in Peaceful Waterfront Community

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 12:56:13 -0500

Mouzon's Bluff is a new community located in the Skipper's Point neighborhood. All lots will share access to a planned Community Dock on the Intracoastal Waterway as well as a natural park on Otter Creek. Both features are a short walk from this affordable building lot. This is a peaceful neighborhood in quiet rural setting that is just minutes from McClellanville's historic district, shops, restaurants and boat landing. Nature abounds in the surrounding woods and nearby creek. The lot was just cleared of underbrush, so feel free to walk the property or call Daniel at (843) 513-2461 for a tour of the area. DHEC septic approval for alternative (mound) system in hand.

22 Mouzon's Bluff - Affordable Waterfront Property on Tidal Creek

A Paddle Down Otter Creek and Memory Lane

McClellanville Real Estate

Completely Restored Historic Victorian in Quaint Little Fishing Village

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:56:44 -0500

Click Here for a Virtual Tour

The Julius Brown Home is located in McClellanville's highly coveted Historic District, just a few minutes walk to the restaurants and shops downtown or to the public boat landing. This beautiful example of Victorian construction was built in 1905. It has recently been completely renovated, but its old charm remains firmly in tact. The original antique heart pine floors and bead board been kept wherever possible. With completely replaced electrical, plumbing, septic, heating and air systems and re-insulated and energy efficient doors and windows, this home is like new construction wrapped in a beautiful turn of the century shell.
The wrap-around porch is complete with ceiling fans and gas lit lamps and offers a relaxing place to enjoy the gentle coastal breeze in your rocking chair. A grand live oak draped with Spanish moss in your front yard will take your breath away. This home features three bedrooms and three and a half baths, with the master conveniently located on the first floor. The family room upstairs could easily accommodate a forth guest or be used as an office or reading room. There are three working fireplaces in the home and custom built-in cabinetry everywhere you look.

Featured Throughout:

* All New Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC, and Septic
* Restored Antique Heart Pine Floors
* Bead-board and Chair rails
* 3 Working Fireplace (set-up for gas and wood-burning)
* All New Historically Renovated High Efficiency Windows
* All Exterior Walls Insulated for Greater Energy Efficiency
* Custom Doors and Sidelights
* Cypress Exterior Walls
* 35 year Architectural Shingles
* 80 gallon water heater
* Dual Multi-staged HVAC (upstairs and downstairs)

Kitchen & Breakfast Nook

* Vaulted Ceilings
* Brazilian Cherry Countertops
* Bay Window
* Stainless GE Stove
* Stainless GE Microwave
* Stainless Frigidaire Dishwasher

Wrap-Around Porch

* Ceiling Fans
* Gas Lit Lamps

Master Bedroom

* Ground Floor
* Custom Built-in Cabinetry
* Walk-in Closet
* Adjacent Master Bathroom

Master Bathroom

* Double Sinks
* Whirlpool Jacuzzi Tub
* Standing Shower

For More Information or to Schedule a Showing

Daniel Bates @ (843) 513-2461

Any experience with the historic homes for sale website?

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 07:26:26 -0500

I am listing a beautiful Victorian home built in 1902 that has been completely restored. I have held numerous open houses and get tons of walk-throughs because the house is on the main street of my quaint little town that gets a decent amount of tourists. Of course, no one wants to actually buy the house, they just want a free tour, but everyone says that it's amazing. Our market is in a slump and nothing has sold in this houses price range (which is only $750k) in 6 months and I haven't even got an offer yet. I have it on all the free websites (Google Base, Yahoo Real Estate, Zillow, Trulia, etc) but wondered if anyone has had any experience: good, bad, or indifferent with some of the historic homes for sale websites: oldhouses.com? historicproperties.com? preservationdirectory.com?

I just joined the group and am happy I found it, if anyone else has any other advise please share. I know what most of you out there are thinking: lower the price. But the price is right on with the value of the home. The buyer, who knows real estate, and my broker both agree with the price. I don't feel that price is the problem. I think it's exposure, we just haven't found the right buyer yet (I guess that's the case with all unsold homes though, but you know what I mean). Anyway, any suggestions (except price change) would be much appreciated, thanks

How Much Plagiarism is Too Much?

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:57:55 -0500

There have already been many great articles written here on AR about plagiarism. My question is: how much is too much? I am not judging the staff here at AR, but I think they are overlooking the potential seriousness of these agents' actions.

I'll admit it, I'm a rat! I recently reported two members of AR for plagiarism. I work too hard on my posts to have someone steal them from me. In one case the member basically took a long list and cut and pasted half of the items and descriptions (word-for-word) to form their article. The post was stripped of points but remains on the site. I also reported another member who had copied entire articles word-for-word from another blog without even a hint of credit to the true author and then added some of their own words to the article. They did this with several posts, so I flagged the first 3 that I found. I also brought the crime to the authors attention and he has stated that the problem has been dealt with (not my business, so I didn't get into it). These posts remain on the site with no notice that their points have been removed.

Isn't AR opening itself up to liability by being notified of a criminal post and not removing it from THEIR servers? I know they are protected against a lot of things through the agree we enter into with them, but once brought to their attention, I think they are just as guilty as the parties that committed the crime in the first place if they choose to do nothing more than place a small little icon next to the post.
I'm all for policing our own here, but if there is no result, then what is the point? The members weren't penalized anything except for the few points they never deserved in the first place - They should be punished if not banned forever. Am I being too harsh? I do believe in forgiveness for those that don't know any better, but what about more well established members who have been on AR for a while now and know better - do they deserve a second chance? Do they deserve a third?
I don't know what happens after a member is reported, if anyone knows than please enlighten us all. I would be interested in knowing if the victim is notified or what is being done to prevent the same offender from doing it again.