Real Estate News

Activity breeds activity, and nowhere is that more evident in real estate. New construction is a sign of a healthy development. When you ride through a neighborhood with lots of vacant homesites, but no ongoing construction, watch out. Certainly, Beaufort has seen some developments flame out since 2006, when our real estate market began to slow.

However, several developers are in the process of trying to spark new life into some of these communities, and that's a very healthy sign.

Hamilton Village, an upscale condo complex on Lady's Island, overlooks Factory Creek and downtown Beaufort, and is another example of a developer who has changed priced point in an effort to move property. Originally priced in the $700,000-plus range, these beautiful

This coming weekend will be a wonderful chance for those who are interested viewing in some of Beaufort's most acclaimed architecture and grounds.  The Historic Beaufort Foundation's annual "Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens” will be Friday, Oct. 23rd thru Sunday, Oct. 25th.  On tour will be historic antebellum, Victorian and early 20th century sites.  Here are schedules, descriptions and cost of each tour.

CANDLELIGHT WALKING TOUR
Friday, Oct. 23, 2009
5:00pm to 8:00pm or 5:30pm to 8:30pm
As daylights fades, this self paced tour highlights a range of seven historic houses, from modest cottages to grand residences that date from the 1820s through the 20th century. This evening tour will reveal all the shapes and sizes of the rich architecture in

The American Culinary Foundation (ACF) has presented Brays Island Excecutive Chef, Ronald Andrews, with its prestigious President's Medallion for 2009. The ACF honors those who significantly contribute to the culinary profession and the organization. Andrews received his accolades in Orlando, at the organization’s national convention. Andrews was one of only 23 recipients recognized.

Active involvement in the community is one of Ronald's strong suits. Besides being Brays Top Chef, Ronald Andrews also serves as President of the Low Country Chapter of the American Culinary, assist with the Iron Chef competition at the Hilton Head Seafood Festival, and has worked as the Executive Chef at Jekyll Island Club Hotel. His participation is various area events

In what has become an annual ritual, Habersham SC has once again been named on Where to Retire Magazine's "Top Master Planned Communities" List.  The criteria included location, cost and amenities. Magazine editors evaluated thousands of communities around the country in coming up with the most accurate list possible.  Readers were also surveyed as to their Retirement Expectation and Relocation Experience.  Residents indicated that neighborhood activity and neighborly interaction were a large factor.  These were sites as helpful for a smooth transition to a new area.

Habersham's wonderful mix of marketplace shops, eateries and services, along with multiple parks and amenities were reasons editors and readers alike included Habersham as one of their

Outdoor Life magazine has included Beaufort, South Carolina on it's list of the "Top 200 Best Outdoor Towns". Calling it a "saltwater paradise, The publication tabbed Beaufort at #108 on the list. The list was based on a variety of factors that seemed to take into account quality of life for humans and abundance of wildlife.  Categories uses to determine the list were:  Median Home Value (2007), Cost of Living Index (2008), Unemployment Rate (2007), Mean Commute Time (mins.), Amenities, Gun Laws, Fishable Species, Huntable Species, Proximity to Public Access, and Trophy potential.

While the accolade is great, it was a head scratcher to see Beaufort so far down the list.  If there is 107 better towns than Beaufort for outdoor life, I would sure like to

Cora Bett Thomas makes another move in the Beaufort SC real estate market with it's acquisition of Tideland  Realty.  While not official yet, according to reliable sources, Cora Bett Thomas Realty is in the final stages of taking over Tideland.  This is the second such purchase of anexisting real estate company in the Beaufort area by Thomas.  Cora Bett Thomas bought Town and Country in April 2009.

These moves will prove to be strokes of genius or a setback of enormous proportions.  We won't know the outcome until sometime next year when the Beaufort housing market finally rebounds. Also, don't expect agency consolidation to stop.  If print and other advertising cutbacks are an indicator, every real estate company in town is hurting.  With this many

This past Friday the CBS Early Show had MoneyWatch dot com name their top places to retire and not surprisingly, Beaufort was on the list at number three. Editor-at-Large Jill Schlesinger called Beaufort a charming seaside town.  For you who have visited, I do not need to explain why we made the list.  For those who have yet to visit out wonderful little town, here are some reasons retirement is great here:

• Very low taxes
• Fantastic climate
• Beautiful scenery
• Excellent medical facilities (Duke Univ.)
• Great retirement communities(Dataw Island, etc...)
• Low Cost of living

If you missed the video don't worry, I have it below.

Today I received a Call to Action e-mail that was sent to all Realtors around the state.  I have posted this e-mail below because it not only affect Realtors, but virtually every single person in the Palmetto State.  If you own, plan to buy, or plan to sell property in the state of South Carolina this affects you in a dramatic way.  If you don't know what the Point of Sale real estate tax is, you should.  Below are some facts taken directly for the SC Realtors website.  Keep reading to learn more.

From the SC Realtors Website on "Point of Sale":

In 2006, the General Assembly enacted property tax reform that provided for point of sale property tax assessment.  Regrettably, this has created serious inequities in the real estate market.   

Point of sale

If you read between the lines of Beaufort County Council's decision to lift current zoning restrictions, it seems money actually does do the talking in these here parts.  Eliminating "Rural Residential" zoning was the result of the council's vote on Monday.  Previously, these areas were under the "Rural Residential" zoning which designated one home per 3 acres.  With the ruling, the possible floodgates have been opened for an additional 3227 homes in the Port Royal Island, St. Helena Island and Whale Branch areas.  Breaking it down, it would allow 107 additional homes on Port Royal Island, 2000 on St. Helena Island, and 1,120 in Whale Branch.

If you have read my prior post, you know I'm an advocate of restrictive zoning.  A resident of Charleston SC for

On April 1st, local real estate agency Town and Country operations were officially in the hands of Corra Bett Thomas Real Estate Company.  Based in Savannah, Hilton Head, and Bluffton, Cora Bett Thomas made a move into the Beaufort South Carolina market last year by opening an office in Town Center.  Looking to fry bigger fish, Thomas acquired one of the areas longest standing agencies in Town and Country.  With the housing market in such a downturn, it is a bold move.

Personally, I'm a little surprised by this buyout.  Mathew McAlhaney and Bill Anderson has recently launched their new company website, which was doing remarkably well.  Running an agency is a huge job and my guess is the offer was too good to pass up.  Cora Bett Thomas has long been know