Charleston SC Metro Real Estate: July 2008

Perhaps the question asked to me the most this past year from buyers has been, "Can I see a list of area foreclosures?" Although most homes that are foreclosed are advertised in our local area MLS, there are a few that are not because the foreclosing bank or institution is not using a Realtor to help sell the house.

For the convenience of my customers and clients I recently signed up for a website that will allow a home foreclosure search.  The website is www.providingthelight.net

This website pulls from homes that are in foreclosure from such sites as Fannie Mae, HUD (FHA), Ocwen Financial, Countrywide, Bank of America, and many more.  There is even an option to sign up for automatic email updates every-time a home that has gone into foreclosure is ready to be sold.

If you in the market for a home in the Charleston SC metro, check out the website or give me a call at 843-817-5299.

www.providingthelight.net

The National Associations of Realtors recently did a nationwide survey to discover what buyers are looking for the most when they buy a home.  Here are the results:

1. Central Air Conditioning
   
2. 2 or more Car Garage
3. Walk-in Closet in Master Bedroom
4. Backyard/play area
5. Cable / Satellite TV ready
6. High Speek Internet Access
7. Separate Shower enclosed in Master/Main Bath
8. Patio
9. Fencing
10. Home less than ten years old.

  For sellers, this means that if you want to get your home sold you have a much better chance of doing so if you have most if not all of these things associated with your home.  This list will of course vary from state to state and from region to region.  To get an accurate assessment of what it will take to sell your home, contact your local Realtor.  If you live in the Charleston SC metro, contact Michael Johnson at 843-817-5299.

Parents and children alike are counting down the days until it is time to go back to school.  As usuall, parents are excited and most kids are dreading the end of their summer fun and freedom.  Below is a schedule put out by the school board for Dorchester 2 county schools.  This schedule indicates holidays and teacher work days for the 2008-2009 school year for Dorchester 2 county school.

August 18 (Monday) ................................. 1. Staff Development/Teacher Work Day - No Students

August 19 (Tuesday) .................................. 2. Staff Development/Teacher Work Day - No Students

August 20 (Wednesday) ............................. 3. Staff Development/Teacher Work Day - No Students

August 21 (Thursday) ................................. First Day of School for Students

September 1 (Monday) ............................... Labor Day Holiday - Schools Closed

October 23 (Thursday)………………….. End of First Quarter – 45th Day of School

October 24 (Friday)……………………… 4. Staff Development/Work Day – No Students

November 4 (Tuesday)……………………Election Day – Schools Closed

November 26-28 (Wednesday-Friday)….. Thanksgiving Holidays – Schools Closed

December 22-January 2 .............................. Winter Holidays for Students

January 5 (Monday) ................................... 5. Staff Development/Teacher Work Day - No Students

January 6 (Tuesday) ................................... Students Return from Winter Holidays Days

January 16 (Friday)……………………….End of Second Quarter – 90th Day of School

January 19 (Monday) ................................. Martin Luther King Holiday – Schools Closed

January 20(Tuesday) ................................. 6. Staff Development/Teacher Work Day - No Students

February 13 (Friday) .................................. 7. Staff Development/Teacher Work Day - No Students

February 16 (Monday) ............................... Presidents' Day Holiday - Schools Closed

March 26 (Thursday)……………………..End of Third Quarter – 135th Day of School

March 27 (Friday)………………………...8. Staff Development/Teacher Work Day – No Students

April 6-13 (Monday-Monday)……………Spring Holidays

April 14 (Tuesday )……………………… Students Return from Spring Holidays

May 25 (Monday)…………………………Memorial Day Holiday – Schools Closed

June 7 (Sunday)…………………………...Graduation for SHS (2:00 p.m.) & FDHS (6:00 p.m.)

June 9 (Tuesday)………………………….Last Day for Students-End of Fourth Quarter-180th Day

June 10 (Wednesday)…………………… .9. Teacher Work Day - No Students

June 11 (Thursday)……………………….10. Teacher Work Day - No Students OR, if necessary

June 12 (Friday)…………………………..1st Inclement Weather Make-up Day (Last Day for Students-180th Day)

June 15 (Monday)……………………….. 2nd Inclement Weather Make-up Day (Last Day for Students-180th Day)

June 16 (Tuesday)……………………….. 3rd Inclement Weather Make-up Day (Last Day for Students-180th Day)

To the shugrim of kids everywhere, the start of school and the end of summer break is just around the corner.  Below is the schedule of events for Schools in Berkeley County as taken by their website. The school board approved the schedule on Jan 23, 2008.

Let the countdown begin!

It this current time of ever-tightening purse strings and more rigid qualifications standards from lenders it is getting extremely hard for first time home buyers who don't have an abundance of money to purchase a home.  But have no fear as there are still a few programs that if you qualify will allow you to purchase a home with no money down.  One of the most recognizable programs is a VA home loan. 

Simply serving in the military does not automatically make one eligible. In order to be eligible, the veteran must have:

(a) completed 24 months of continuous active duty (For reservists activated under Federal call up, they must complete the full period for which they were called but not less than 90 days) and been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable;

OR 

(b) completed at least 90 days of active duty and been discharged under the specific authority of 10 USC 1173 (Hardship), or 10 USC 1173 (Early out), or have been determined to have a compensable service-connected disability,

OR

 (c) been discharged with less than 90 days of service for a service-connected disability. Individuals may also be eligible if they were released from active duty due to an involuntary reduction in force, certain medical conditions, or, in some instances, for the convenience of the Government.

If the service characterized the discharge as "other than honorable", VA is required to make a determination as to whether that discharge was under dishonorable conditions.  Under VA regulations, a discharge is dishonorable if it was issued under one of the following conditions:

•  As a conscientious objector who refused to perform military duty, wear the uniform, or comply with lawful order of competent military authorities. 
•  By reason of the sentence of a general court-martial. 
•  Resignation by an officer for the good of the service. 
•  As a deserter. 
•  As an alien during a period of hostilities, where it is affirmatively shown that the former service member requested his or her release. See 38 CFR §3.7(b). 
•  By reason of a discharge under other than honorable conditions issued as a result of an absence without official leave (AWOL) for a continuous period of at least 180 days.  
•  Acceptance of an undesirable discharge to escape trial by general court-martial. 
•  Mutiny or spying. 
•  An offense involving moral turpitude. This includes, generally, conviction of a felony.  
•  Willful and persistent misconduct. 
•  Homosexual acts

Hurricane season 08 is in full swing with a few named storms already.  The season extends from June 1st throuogh November 30th.  The following are the planned evacuation routes for the different areas in the Charleston Metro. as put out by the state. 

• Edisto Island and Adams Run: [MAP] Evacuees from Edisto Island and Adams Run will take SC 174 to US 17.  They will then take US 17 south to SC 64. SC 64 will take them to Walterboro and eventually to Augusta.
   
• Yonges Island, Meggett, Hollywood, Ravenel: [MAP] Evacuees from Yonges Island, Meggett, Hollywood and Ravenel will take SC 165 to US 17.  They will then take US 17 south to SC 64. SC 64 will take them to Walterboro and eventually to Augusta.
   
• Johns Island, Kiawah Island and Seabrook: [MAP] Evacuees from Johns Island, Kiawah Island and Seabrook will use SC 700 and Secondary Road 20 (Bohicket Road) to US 17.  They will then take US 17 south to SC 64. SC 64 will take them to Walterboro and eventually to Augusta.
   
• James Island and Folly Beach: [MAP] Evacuees from James Island and Folly Beach will take SC 171 to US 17.  They will then travel south on US 17 to I-526 to the reversed lanes of I-26.
   
• City of Charleston: [MAP] Evacuees from the West Ashley area will use SC 61 to US 78. US 78 will take them to Aiken and eventually to Augusta.  Evacuees from the downtown Charleston areas will use the normal westbound lanes of I-26.
   
• North Charleston: [MAP] Evacuees from North Charleston will take US 52 (Rivers Avenue). They may take US 78 to US 178 to Orangeburg or they may stay on US 52 northbound to Goose Creek.

  At Goose Creek, traffic in the right lane of US 52 will continue on to Moncks Corner. In Moncks Corner, it will be directed onto SC 6, which will take evacuees to Columbia.

  Traffic in the left lane of US 52 at Goose Creek will be directed onto US 176 to Columbia.

  Evacuees travelling west on SC 642 (Dorchester Road) will go to Old Orangeburg Road (Secondary 22) to US 78.

• East Cooper: [MAP] Evacuees leaving Mt. Pleasant may take I-526 to I-26 or US 17 north to SC 41.

  Evacuees leaving Sullivan’s Island will use SC 703 to I-526 Business to access I-526 then I-26.

  Evacuees from the Isle of Palms would use the Isle of Palms Connector (SC 517) to go to US 17. The right lane will turn north on US 17, then proceed to SC 41, to SC 402, then to US 52 to SC 375, then to US 521, to SC 261 to US 378 to Columbia.

  Evacuees using the left lanes of the Isle of Palms Connector would turn left to go to I-526 then on to I-26.

  Evacuees in the right lane on I-526 approaching I-26 from the East Cooper area will be directed to the normal lanes of I-26. Evacuees in the left lane on I-526 will be directed into the reversed lanes of I-26.

  Evacuees travelling on I-26 in the normal westbound lanes of travel will be allowed to exit at all interchanges between Charleston and Columbia. Evacuees travelling in the reversed lanes of travel will be allowed to exit at most, but not all, interchanges.

  Re-entry to I-26 will be permitted at all interchanges, but only into the normal, not the reversed, lanes of travel.

  No motorists in the reversed lanes of travel will be allowed directly from I-26 onto I-95. However, they will be able to access I-95 via exit 165. They will take SC 210 north to US 176 east to I-95.

  I-26 westbound traffic in the normal travel lanes that does not exit prior to reaching Columbia will be routed onto I-77 north.

  I-26 westbound traffic in the reversed travel lanes that does not exit prior to reaching Columbia will be directed by law enforcement officers across the interstate median into the normal lanes of travel.

  Motorists are cautioned not to cross any roadway median unless directed to do so by a law enforcement officer.=

• Awendaw and McClellanville: [MAP] Evacuees from Awendaw and McClellanville will take SC 45 to SC 6 to Columbia.

563EnglishOak.com

(Select link for more photos and information)

563 English Oak Circle, Moncks Corner, SC

WOW! What a great deal in the flourishing Oakley Point neighborhood just off of HWY 52 in Moncks Corner.  The neighborhood is equipped with several amenities including a neighborhood pool and playground. This is a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 story home with 2684 square feet.  With a price of $200,000, this is one of the best values in the Charleston metropolitan area at $74 SqFt.

The seller is offering a home warranty and $3000 toward closing costs with an acceptable offer and approved lender. This large home is move-in ready with many upgrades throughout. It sits on a great lot that backs up to a pond and woodlands.

Enter the home and the open floor plan becomes immediately evident as you walk into the formal living room. Stylish columns separate the formal dining room and a tray ceiling accents the area. The spacious kitchen is equipped with an electric range, dishwasher, garbage disposal, extra large cabinets with under cabinet lighting, and an ample pantry. The eat-in kitchen area sits in a perfect location in front of the sliding glass door for mornings when you would like to have breakfast and take in the fantastic view of the pond. The family room is equipped with a gas fireplace that can be turned on with the flick of a switch. This room is a nice place to entertain guests and is adequately distanced from the formal living room.

Next, head up the stairs and behold the grand loft. This area is great as a second living room where a kids TV, toys, and games can be kept. The 3 extra bedrooms are all a generous size and two of them have a walk-in closet. There is a full bath in close proximity to all of the bedrooms. The laundry room is also conveniently located upstairs. The master bedroom is extensive in size and features a cathedral/vaulted ceiling and a decorative ledge that can be used for plants and other ornaments. The master bathroom features dual sinks, a garden tub, and a separate shower. There is also a substantial master closet attached to the master bathroom.

The all time winningest football coach at any level coaches for the Summerville Green Wave.  John McKissick has been the head coach for the Green Wave for over 50 years with 556 wins and counting.  Last year he led his highly talented team to the state championship before being beat by Byrnes.  The Green Wave have  some  huges holes  to fill with the graduation of last years seniors which included nationally ranked and highly regarded wide receiver, AJ Green.  The school has a total of 10 state championships and this year they will strive to add another trophy to the trophy case.

2008 Summerville Green Wave

Aug 29th v/s Conway

Sept 5th at Goose Creek

Sept 12th v/s Irmo

Sept 19th v/s Ft. Dorchester

Sept 26th at Stratford

Oct 3rd v/s West Ashley

Oct 10th at James Island

Oct 17th at Wando

Oct 24th v/s Berkeley

Oct 31st at Beaufort

Nov. 7th v/s Colleton County

The lowcountry of South Carolina has several powerhouse high school football programs.  One team that is known for doing more with less is the Goose Creek Gators.  The past few years the gators have exceeded expectations and even made the playoffs last year.  This year the young team looks to do it again with head coach Chuck Ready at the helm.  Preseason practice begins on August 1st.

2008 Gator Football Schedule

Aug 29 at Northwestern

Sept 5 Summerville

Sept 12 at Carolina Forest

Sept 19 Colleton County

Sept 26 at Fort Dorchester

Oct 3 Stratford

Oct 10 at West Ashley

Oct 17 at James Island

Oct 24 Wando

Oct 31 at Berkeley

Nov 7 Beaufort

I am undergoing a revolution of the mind! 

You see, the way I use to perceive success and failure is falling by the wayside.  What I am learning is that Alexander Pope was right when more than 250 years ago he wrote, "To err is human, to forgive divine."  Success is not achieved through flawless activity but rather the ability to overcome errors and mistakes. 

In his book Failing Forward, John Maxwell describes a list he came across that was similar in format to Murphy's Law and the Peter Principle.  It is called "Rules for Being Human.  The rules are as follows:

1.  
   1.  
      1. You will learn lessons.
      2. There are no mistakes-only lessons.
      3. A lesson is repeated until it is learned.
      4. If you don't learn the easy lessons, they get harder (Pain is the one way the universe gets your attention).
      5. You'll know you've learned a lesson when your actions change.

Keep these rules in mind when dealing with your self and others!

Photo by www.learningspaces.org