Charleston SC Metro Real Estate: June 2008

Now, I'll admit it!  I love nature but I'm not an environmentalist.  Sure, I'll pick up a piece of trash on the ground at the park, but I don't belong to an organization that sponsers highway clean up.  Unless of course you count the fact that I'm a taxpayer and those guys in orange jump suits walking along the side of the road with orange trashbags. (I digress)

I like gas saving cars but not because I'm trying to save the world but because it save me money.  I believe global warming is probably happening, but not because we drive too many cars or spray too many aerosal cans.  Gas emitted from cows does more to "harm" the environment than we ever will...not to mentioned those dang pesky volcanoes. 

Anyway, I got a special package in the mail from my electric company today and surprise...it wasn't an electric bill.  They actually sent me a gift.  Two brand new compact fluroescent lightbulbs.  As you can probably guess, all I have are those cheap traditional lightbulbs in my house with the exception of my garage which has fluoescent bulbs. 

Not one to turn away a gift, I figured I'd try them out.  I took it out of the box and put one in my kitchen.  Then I read the box:  up to 7 year life cycle, lasts 13 times longer than sandard bulbs, up to $70 energy costs savings, may interfere with radios, cordless phones, or wireless remotes.  What the??  ...may interfere with what??

I read it again and sure enough, that''s what it said!  Perplexed I did what all isavy internet peoeple do when they need answers...I googled it!  I found a site called www.literonics.com.  Here is what they said about it:

Television Interference (TVI) occurs when components in ballast generates a magnetic field. This field may interfere with the amplification of the AM component of a received signal when the ballast is in close proximity to the receiver. Litetronics lamps are produced to greatly reduce TVI.

OK!  Come on...are these really lights, or are they just another way for Uncle Sam to spy on us!  Lights on...record now!  I just can't wait to use the new fancy lights!  Maybe I will be able to intercept my neighbor's cell phone calls if I put enough in my house.

We've all heard the story as kids of the three little pigs and how the big bad wolf blew down the house of straw and then another of sticks.  But, to the dismay of the big bad wolf, he could not blow down the house made of bricks.  The sturdiness of the bonded bricks provided a safe home for the three little pigs. 

As we get older we associate that story from our childhood to home safety and security.  Most people consider the safeness of a brick home as top notch from protection from the elements of high winds, no matter if it is the big bad wolf or a big bad hurricane. 

But ask your self a question.  Are brick homes built within the last 30 to 40 years built the same way during the time that the Three Little Pigs were written, or even 50 years ago?  Are most modern homes "solid brick?"  The answer for most parts of the country is no they are not. 

I'm sure you are saying to yourself, "Wait a minute, I have a brick home and it was built within the last 30 years!"  Sure you have a brick home, but it is most likely not solid brick masonary.  What you have is brick veneer!

So, how can you tell the difference?

Solid brick homes are old school homes.  There is no wooden frame when it is initally built.  The brick layers lay the mold and stack the bricks on top of the foundation working thier way up.  On the other hand, brick veneer homes use the same type of bricks but there is a wooden frame in place before the brick work begins.  Then the brick layers lay the bricks around the frame. 

The Carson Dunlap Consulting Engineers website states that with a solid brick house "the brick is holding up the house.  With brick veneer the house is holding up the brick," and the brick acts as siding to the house.   The consulting firm goes on to explain that:

Brick veneer became the norm when building codes began to require insulation in the exterior walls. One of the best insulators is air. Most good insulation does nothing but trap air; that's why most insulations are light and fluffy. Brick is not exactly light and fluffy. Therefore it's not really a very good insulator. A brick veneer house then, is really a wood frame house where the cavity between the studs in the wall can be insulated.

Which style makes for a better house is a judgemenet call on your part.  Solid brick homes are certainly stronger, but are not well insulated.  Brick veneer homes are still strong, although not as strong as solid brick, but are much better insulated.   There are advantages to both, but most builders use the brick veneer technique to meet building code standards.  Keep the advantages of both in mind when you decide to sell or buy your next house.

www.200columbiadrive.com

**Large Screen Porch** Fantastic home in the beautiful and well established neighborhood of College Park! Owner is offering a home warranty, major kitchen appliances, and the washer and dryer with an acceptable offer.

This nearly all brick home is in move in condition. Most of the house has relatively new carpet. As you walk in the front door you will notice the large family room to the right where countless hours of entertainment can be had. Head toward the dining room where plenty of space has been allotted for the dining room table and then continue on to the kitchen. The kitchen is adorned with a tile floor and also has space for an eat-in-area if desired. There is an abundance of cabinet space throughout the kitchen area. Next to the kitchen is the laundry room and out the door to the spacious one car garage that has built in cabinets and workman's space.

Head back through the house toward the dining room and down the hall with the bedrooms. The two extra bedrooms are a good size and both have ceiling fans. The master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling, ceiling fan, and walk-in closet. The master bathroom is equipped with a few handicap ready features.

What really makes this house stand out is the large 319 square foot screened in porch. Entertain guests or enjoy a nice dinner outside on a nice cool evening. The screened porch also has a two ceiling fans for the not so cool days. There is also a covered patio area and detached storage shed in the nicely landscaped and fenced in back yard.

For more photos visit www.200columbiadrive.com.

I am a proud father of a beautiful 3 year old girl who is the light of my life.  Friday I picked her up from daycare and she gave me a piece of paper that had her footprint and a poem on it. 

Here is the poem:

"Walk a little slower daddy", said a child so small. 

"I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;

So walk a little slower, Daddy, for you are leading me!

Someday when I'm all grown up, you're what I want to be;

Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;

So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you."

Needless to say it choked me up a little and serves as a reminder to me and other dads like me that our children are looking up to us, watching and mimicking every move we make.  It reminded me of when I take my little girl's tiny little hand and we walk together.  It doesn't take long until I remember that I can't walk as fast because her short little legs cannot keep up!  I have to slow down even if I am in a hurry! 

As men, the greatest responsibility we will ever have is that of being a dad.  Don't take it too lightly and don't take it too intense.  Just slow down every day and remember that they are following in our footprints.

Beach weather is in full swing in the lowcountry of Charleston SC.  There are a host of beaches in the area but the more popular ones include, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, and Edisto Island.

The age group at all beaches is usually pretty mixed, but the younger crowd usually flock to Isle of Palms near the Windjammer or The Washout at Folly Beach (surfer's hangout).  The Windjammer is a sports/beach bar of sorts famous for its live concerts and bikini contests.  Bands such as Cowboy Mouth, Will Hoag, The Blue Dogs, and on occassion, local favorite Hootie and the Blowfish show up to play at this venue.

When I want a more secluded public beach experience I head up to Edisto Beach.  Most tourists don't know about the beach and/or care to make the 45 minute trek from downtown.  You can also find nice size seashells fully intact.  But beware, the undertow tends to be a bit strong at Edisto for some reason and the sand has a lot of crushed seashells in it making it slightly more coarse.

A useful tool to have before heading out to the beach is a tide table.  To the right is a tide table for the month of June 2008.  South Carolina Dept. of Health and Enviornmental Control has more tide tables at thier website.

I've started a new group called Lessons Learned in which you can join and/or visit to see postings where individuals share their mistakes and the lessons that were learned.  There is no reason to make the same mistakes that someone else has made if you can learn from them.  Come join the group and share your expriences and enlightenments! 

John Maxwell says, "The diference between average people and achieving people is thier perception of and response to failure."