So you want to sell your home?  How long is it going to take to find just that right person to walk through your door and say "I'll buy this house for what you're asking"? How Long? In the Charleston,SC area just about 7 months once you put your home on the market. WHAT? No Way! The stats say 93 days! How can this be? The question is when do you want to move? Not till May. Okay. We put your home for sale today, October 1, 2007. The average home will be on the market for 93 days according to MLS. That's the average home. What MLS doesn't take into consideration are the houses for sale that went expired, withdrawn and relisted properties that have been on the market for longer then 93 days. Just last month 1423 properties went expired and or were withdrawn. If you were to multiply that nu... 09/30/2007

While analyzing different (residential single family) sub-markets, vis-a-vis the whole Charleston Metro market, it appears that the Daniel Island and Mt Pleasant markets act as "trend precursors" to the rest of the market area: They boomed earlier and faster, they slowed down before the rest of the market, and it appears like they are poised to recover while the rest of the market is still slowing down. Maybe these high appreciation markets act as the leading indicators of the trends in the rest of the market, much like California starts most trends in the U.S.? If so, watching these markets could give savvy investors a leg up over the competition to judge future shifts in the real estate market for other areas of Charleston...Alan DonaldKeller Williams Realtywww.BuyHomesInCharleston.com 09/28/2007

After hearing numerous news reports and reading articles about REALTORS® around the country, both men and women that have been killed, raped or battered while trying to perform their duties as a real estate professional, I decided to be proactive, and learn what to do if I was ever placed in such a perilous situation.I enrolled my daughter and I in a self-defense class at Blancke Martial Arts Studio located Mount Pleasant. Although it was a group class specifically geared toward REALTORS®, participants were encouraged to bring their children. Training side by side was a great way to spend quality time as a family. The welcoming owners of the studio, Sensei Gunther and Sempai Olga, taught the class. It was a six-week course that we looked forward to attending each week as we learned new ... 09/10/2007

This exciting new development is currently the only gated, golf community in Mt. Pleasant. This new master-planned community offers residents access to the 18-hole championship golf course, the country club, with its large hall for hosting parties, tennis courts, pools, a new water park and new fitness center, just to name a few amenities. Nature enthusiasts will love the extensive trails through woods, marshes and along the river. An effort has really been made to maintain the natural integrity of the area for those that appreciate all the natural environment has to offer. But one of the most exciting things is the homes in Dunes West, and the diverse selection of styles. John Wieland Homes, the builders for Dunes West, are known for their high quality and award winning designs. If you... 08/30/2007

SummaryMt Pleasant continues to be a "Buyer's Market" and in my opinion will remain so for at least the next 12-18 months, barring any unusual market shifts. Homes priced strategically and marketed effectively are still selling, but buyers have many options to choose from and improved opportunity to negotiate terms. Inventory-SupplyAlthough sales activity has been steady,inventory levels have kept rising despite a small decrease during the first quarter of 2007. There are currently 1,290 single family homes for sale in Mt. Pleasant. Chart 1 shows how inventory has behaved recently (includes townhomes & condos).New ConstructionThe Town of Mt Pleasant reports having approved only 195 (out of the maximum annual allocation of 620 permits) this year. New construction has slowed down dramatic... 07/26/2007

I can’t tell you how happy I was to hear about this very important news…Mount Pleasant joined the league of nine municipalities across the state banning smoking in workplaces at Tuesday night's monthly town council meeting. Town council voted 7-2 in favor of the ban. Within the tri-county, Mount Pleasant, Charleston and Sullivan's Island all have indoor smoking bans, including restaurants and bars. Sullivan's Island was the first area municipality to enact the ban last July. Charleston's ban will become effective July 23, and Mount Pleasant's will become effective Septemer 1. Although the Town Council had decided to delay decision on the ordinance at this past April's meeting, when the state Legislature failed to enact a statewide smoking ban, many members of the council felt inclined ... 06/13/2007

Carolina Park released its first building permit in early 2006 for The Children's Center at Carolina Park, an independent early child development center. The Children’s Center is located on 3.5 acres in the midst of the natural habitat of the Lowcountry, and nestled among Wetlands and 50 foot buffers. To keep traffic off of Carolina Park Boulevard, the Center will be accessible by a private drive with a drop-off area adjacent to the 18,000 sq. ft. building. When you step into the school you’ll experience a pre-school facility like no other East of the Cooper. The sweeping entry hall of wood and metal construction acts as a “bridge” from the parking area in front to the marsh and playground beyond. The classrooms are designed with typical Lowcountry materials and building concepts includ... 06/05/2007

Introducing Carolina Park, a 1,700-acre, master-planned community, thoughtfully designed to meet the future needs of the growing Charleston area.Shaped by the ideas and principles of smart-growth, this is a community where people can enjoy seamless living - work, recreation, education and gracious living all in one green, modern setting. This family-friendly community will be a mix of public and private spaces that lend a rich texture and energy to this ever-growing area. Situated in the Town of Mount Pleasant, an upscale suburb of Charleston, Carolina Park will be a premier address for families as well as business.Carolina Park's master plan includes 1,750 residential units on 1,000 acres developed in distinct neighborhoods linked by abundant green spaces, wildlife corridors, and wistf... 06/04/2007

 Roper St. Francis Healthcare has moved closer to the construction of their new Mount Pleasant hospital by recently announcing Charlotte, N.C.-based BE&K Building Group as the project’s general contractor for its planned 85-bed facility.BE&K finished 12th out of 163 firms in Southeast Construction magazine’s April 2007 ranking of the Southeast’s top contractors. With 2005 revenues of $223.6 million, the 258-employee BE&K was ranked North Carolina’s ninth-largest general contractor by Business North Carolina magazine.Roper’s new $123 million facility will be located on 78 acres at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 North and Faison Road in the Carolina Park development. The hospital will include 24-hour emergency care, women’s services, inpatient and outpatient surgery, intensive and cr... 06/04/2007

Groundbreaking for a 248-unit senior residential community called Somerby took place last month in the heart of Mount Pleasant’s Park West community.Somerby will be located on 20 acres along Basildon Road, just north of the intersection of Park West Boulevard and Grey Marsh Road.The campus-style, continuing care community will offer independent living options in either villas or apartments, and three levels of health care: assisted living, memory care and respite care.The community will include 131 independent living residences, 51 assisted living residences, 38 Alzheimer’s care residences and 28 villas.Somerby will offer full-service dining, weekly housekeeping and linen service, planned activities, exercise and wellness programs, recreation, scheduled transportation, companion service... 06/03/2007

Amid the sound of battle cries and machine gun fire, the stories of the nation's war heroes are now being told in a renovated museum aboard a moored aircraft carrier.The refurbished $1.5 million Medal of Honor Museum opened Memorial Day weekend aboard the USS Yorktown on Charleston Harbor as a tribute to the 3,444 recipients of the nation's highest military honor.             "It was absolutely breathtaking - the tightness in the chest and the water in the eye," said Gary Littrell, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who saw the completed museum for the first time this past Monday.At the museum, visitors enter a hall to a multimedia exhibit on the meaning of freedom narrated by Tom Brokaw. Then, they can see the medal itself and learn some of its history before entering the Tunnel ... 06/02/2007

Bob Chambers | Infinity Realty | bobchambers@infinity-realty.com | 843.296.2546 209 North Shellmore Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC Beautiful Custom Built Home Located in Award Winning Neighborhood of ION. 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $890,000 Year Built 2004 Sq Footage 3,075 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors Unspecified Parking Unspecified Lot Size 3,920 sqft HOA/Maint $63 per month DESCRIPTION MOTIVATED SELLER!!! SELLER IS ADDING A $5,000 DECORATING ALLOWANCE WITH ACCEPTABLE OFFER. IMMACULATE CUSTOM BUILT HOME LOCATED IN THE NATIONAL AWARD WINNING NEIGHBORHOOD OF ION. INSIDE THIS HOME YOU WILL FIND GENEROUS, WELL APPOINTED LIVING SPACES. THIS HOME HAS OVER 30OO SQUARE FEET, WITH 4 BEDROOMS, 3.5 BATHS. THE MASTER SUITE IS LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR, WITH HIS/HERS CLOSET... 05/29/2007

Imagine an island drenched with the sun-bleached charm, surrounded by the Wando River, Toomer Creek and the most productive land on earth—the hauntingly beautiful salt marsh. Lush. Pristine. Peaceful. Now, a select few have the opportunity to make their home here—to build their dream house just minutes from every convenience, yet at the same time worlds away. This is Park Island, an exclusive gated community on a 20-acre island consisting of only 33 home sites within the Park West planned development community. Bordered by the Wando River to the north/northeast, and wildlife filled saltwater marsh to the south, which provide the island with expansive open water and pristine marsh views.Last summer I had the pleasure of seeing Park Island from the best vantage point – from the water. The... 05/27/2007

If you ask local Mount Pleasant residents where downtown is, you would most likely get a number of different answers – the Old Village, Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, Coleman Boulevard, even downtown Charleston. Now there is another contender for “the heart of the village” and that is Central Mount Pleasant. In a special meeting this past Thursday, the Town Council approved plans for the 110-acre development between Rifle Range Road and Hungryneck Boulevard. The property is owned by McAlister Development Company - a Mount Pleasant based company led by Anthony McAlister. Mills Buxton is the project manager for McAlister Development. Anthony and Mills are Mount Pleasant residents.Keane and Co. leads the design team. Keane and Co. is an urban design and planning company located in “downtown”... 05/19/2007

Market News Charleston Regional Business Journal - 6/22/06 A new report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Mount Pleasant gained the most residents of any city in South Carolina between 2000 and 2005. Mount Pleasant gained an estimated 10,323 residents during the period, outpacing Charleston, which gained an estimated 10,062. Summerville, another of the fastest growing areas in the report, gained an estimated 9,962 residents from 2000 to 2005 and was slightly ahead of Rock Hill, which added an estimated 9,789 residents. North Charleston grew by an estimated 6,671. Others among the state’s fastest-growing cities were Greer, Mauldin, Myrtle Beach, Lexington and North Myrtle Beach. Columbia was the most populous city in the state from 2000-2005, with 117,0... 05/08/2007

   TOTALS REPORTSSOLD/ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS01-Apr-2007 - 30-Apr-2007Area=41, 42Mt Pleasant Homes Sold                      0-2        3         4+      Multi     Condo/    Total PRICE CLASS/TYPE    Bedrm     Bedrm     Bedrm     Family    Co-Op     Units ------------------  -----     -----     -----     ------    -----     ----- $19,999 OR UNDER       0         0         0         0         0         0 $20,000 -  $29,999     0         0         0         0         0         0 $30,000 -  $39,999     0         0         0         0         0         0 $40,000 -  $49,999     0         0         0         0         0         0 $50,000 -  $59,999     0         0         0         0         0         0 $60,000 -  $69,999     0         0         0         0         0         0 $70,000 - ... 05/01/2007

Buying A New Home From A Builder?Are you contemplating purchasing a home in a new development or subdivision? If so you need to know the facts about who's actually looking out for your interest. It sure isn't the agent behind the desk. You may think it isn't that complicated buying a home in a new subdivision, find the house, sign the paperwork, use their mortgage company, appraise the house using their appraisor, walk through the house with their inspector,  close on the house using their attorney, move in the house by yourself. Done deal right? Hardly! Everything a builder does, and everybody a builder employs or contracts with, including the agent at the sales center is there for one reason, to make as much money as possible for the builder. No one on that site is there to represent ... 04/11/2007

The Town of Mount Pleasant’s already stellar credit rating has gotten even better. Standard & Poor’s (S&P) recently raised its rating from AA to AA+ on the Town’s $15.7 million General Obligation Bond of 2007. The AA+ score is a clear indication that Mount Pleasant holds an exceptional credit rating. The 2007 bonds are general obligations, secured by the full faith and credit of the Town, used to acquire, design, construct, improve, expand, and equip various municipal improvements – including transportation projects, a new senior center, and other various capital projects. “Mount Pleasant has kept its creditworthiness in great part due to its strong financial performance and low debt levels,” said Mount Pleasant Mayor Harry M. Hallman Jr. “Our financial position has remained strong and ... 03/02/2007

 A brand new development is beginning to take shape in the heart of Mount Pleasant. Watermark is a community of possibilities. Choose from 118 single-family homesites (half of them lakefront), 39 exquisite townhomes and 240 one, two and three-bedroom luxury rental residences, all intimately set in a layout evocative of the American urban tradition. Homes embrace streets. Sidewalks invite you to nearby parks. Trails wind around the tranquil lake. And like all great neighborhoods, Watermark has a central square – The Commons – with a gourmet market, coffee shop, fitness center and other centers of community life.Located at Bowman and Rifle Range Roads, Watermark is the only new neighborhood in old Mount Pleasant – truly one of the Lowcountry’s most sought-after addresses. And Watermark i... 03/02/2007

The Mount Pleasant Farmers Market has formally extended its hours. For those of us who frequent the market this is good news indeed! What started off as a trial period at the end of last season is now official: the market will start one hour early every Tuesday. The successful market has grown so much over the past ten seasons that they have decided to permanently change the opening time to accommodate new trends and added customers.“Patrons come to the market to purchase fresh produce, but they also come to socialize. We want to cater to this growing trend and we will open the market at 3:00 p.m. instead of 4:00 p.m. beginning on April 10,” said Ashley McKenzie, Farmer’s Market manager.“Produce vendors typically serve the shopping crowd (customers picking up produce on their way home)... 02/21/2007