Get Friends Together and Throw Shrimp in a Pot!

August
31
2011

With Summer coming to a close, I always like to get friends together to celebrate the end of another great season. It’s hard to believe that Labor Day Weekend is right around the corner. Times flies, doesn’t it?
Hosting a “Low Country Boil” is a great way to casually entertain during the hot summer months. While [...]

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Another Recovery Perspective

August
30
2011

Last month I attended the meeting of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Board of Directors in Chicago. The board members represent premier residential real estate companies and, as I was heading back to my home sweet home in the Carolinas, I felt a sense that the second half of the year had [...]

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Looking for Opportunities in Real Estate?

August
29
2011

There is little question that foreclosures are a major part of the real estate market today.  One of the challenges that comes along with buying a foreclosure can be the condition of the property. If the property is damaged, neglected or just plain outdated, you may want to consider a renovation loan.  Here are some [...]

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What It Takes To Remodel Your Kitchen Part II

August
26
2011

Surviving without kitchen was actually easier than I had anticipated.
To get by, we set up a make-shift kitchen in the basement. Now, I know what you must be thinking. The basement?!? Really, DJ? The reason it worked out so well was because of my husband, who, afew years ago, installed a utility sink next to [...]

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Empty Nesters…Time to Downsize?

August
25
2011

I have several boomer friends who are now calling themselves “empty nesters.” The kids are off to college…or have graduated…and curiously they’re aligning themselves with primitive avian nesting habits. They imagine that now that they’re back to being a couple (the lucky ones), they’ll have more “freedom” and revert to happy college-era activities…like going sockless [...]

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Protect Yourself During Hurricane Irene

August
24
2011

We often get asked the question … why do insurance carriers restrict binding in the event of a storm that most likely will not affect inland property? Anyone living in the Carolinas will remember Hurricane Hugo back in 1989.  Since hurricanes change directions at any given minute, our carriers will start early restricting [...]

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Have You Visited Winston-Salem, North Carolina?

August
23
2011

Having lived in the Carolinas for quite some time, I’m always looking for something new to try and a different place to explore. What I’ve come to discover is that sometimes you don’t have to go very far to find that “something new.” The hidden gems in your neighborhood or city, those one’s you keep [...]

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A Look Into the Luxury Real Estate Market

August
22
2011

Luxury home sellers and buyers want many of the same things as their counterparts at all price points. A recent Harris Group research project shows that these buyers want a highly respected company that shows results, a professional, experienced real estate agent and strong marketing efforts with an Internet presence.
Conducted on behalf of Luxury [...]

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Impact of Unemployment on Housing

August
19
2011

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? A question often posed and one that, even with all our technology, we will never truly know the answer to.
Which came first, an increase in our unemployment rate or the magnitude of foreclosures?
How has the unemployment rate affected housing? It is safe to say that the current [...]

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How to Remodel Your Kitchen Part 1

August
18
2011

Have you ever remodeled your kitchen? If you have, my next few blogs will probably hit close to home. If you haven’t, well, I hope my experience sheds some light on what is involved because what an experience it was!
My home in Matthews was built in 1985 and was reaching the age that welcomed some [...]

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