You may have heard that the housing bill passed two weeks ago will end Downpayment Assistance Programs on September 30th, 2008. However, it's important that you know that recently, many government investors have begun proactively eliminating the program in advance of that deadline, like Chase. As one of the market lenders in the banking industry, they do set many trends which means other banks will follow suit.  I have been given information from one of my lenders that the guidelines they have set for their bank is that all FHA loans that use Seller Paid Down Payment Assistance Programs must be closed and funded (disbursed) by Wednesday, September 10, 2008!!!  Schedule your closing before this date to ensure funding!  This means that if you do not have a ratified contract in hand by the... 08/19/2008

Green is the new black right?  Heck, there is even a new Green channel on cable!  One of the things I love about my neighborhood in Summerville, SC is that recycling is made so easy.  I try to be green both at work and at home and making it easy is a key component in making it actually happen.  Here in The Bridges of Summerville, they make it super simple by having pick up services every Friday.  One week they pick up cans, plastic, etc and the next week they pick up paper.  Weeks alternate, except when there is a 5th Friday in the month.  That Friday they have off.  I will admit that I do get a little frustrated sometimes by the lack of enthusiasm from our neighbors of this awesome benefit in our little community.  Monday is garbage day and yesterday, as I left the neighborhood to go t... 08/11/2008

Daniel's Orchard is something new and distinctive in Summerville, yet in step with the atmosphere and charm of Historic Summerville.  As their slogan states, "Bringing Summerville back to Summerville" Daniel's Orchard is one of the new developments that is building homes and townhomes that mirror Summerville & Charleston architecture with sweeping front porches, large open rooms, tall windows, heart pine hardwood floors, detached garages, gas lanterns and double stacked porches.   Many of the homes are reminiscent of houses along Sumter Avenue and the downtown historic area of Summerville.    If you enjoy the architecture that has made Summerville & Charleston into the charming towns we love today,  you may find homes for sale in Daniel's Orchard in step with your taste.If you would lik... 07/22/2008

We are proud to have begun the first stages of our large coaching initiative in the Coldwell Banker Summerville office.  Whether you are a consumer reading and chosing who to select as an agent or an agent making a career change, this article is for you.  In today's market, agents must be informed, knowlegable and strong.  Each of my agents and those who join our office are going through a complete business planning and skill development coaching initiative.  We begin by helping each agent obtain a specific and written business plan.  We also are very serious about helping agents define their perfect customer.  This program insures that each client/customer gets the appropriate service and that each agent can be more productive in their career. Prepared, well informed and diligent agent... 07/20/2008

Homes for Sale in Branch Creek are conveniently located off of Highway 78 and the Berlin G. Meyers Parkway, and are just one mile from the downtown area of Summerville.  The Branch Creek subdivision is desirable for many reasons, among them is its close proximity to I-26,  Dorchester District II schools, and its close location to the new restaurants/stores/etc. slated to be built around the intersection of Berlin G and 78. View Homes for Sale Right Now in Branch Creek.The homes for sale in Branch Creek  contain homes built by Meridian Builders, Sabal Homes and town homes built by Beazer Homes. Sabal Homes is proud to be building Earthcraft Homes and is featuring a line of eight floorplans with varying elevations. Meridian is no longer building in Branch Creek, but is still carrying inve... 07/17/2008

A free community concert featuring Ann Caldwell will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Summerville's town square, also known as Hutchinson Square. Caldwell, known in the Lowcountry as the first lady of jazz, works full time as a jazz singer, jazz vocalist, blues singer and musical producer, according to Summerville DREAM, host for the event. Caldwell's credits include performances for Piccolo Spoleto for the last eight years. She has been the featured vocalist with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the CSO Gospel Choir and has appeared in "Porgy and Bess" and Clay Rice's musical production "Lowcountry Legends." She studied with Charleston's June Bonner when Bonner was at the Metropolitan Opera. Bring a beach blanket or a lawn chair. Refreshments will be available. No alc... 07/16/2008

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 Wa... 07/15/2008

I had an Open House on Sunday in White Gables located in Summerville, SC. It was a great turnout for a steamy Sunday afternoon.  This community is patterned after downtown Charleston, but without the price tag and with cheaper taxes!  It's less than 5 miles from historic downtown Summerville and included in the awesome Dorchester District II schools! Anyone will love driving home every day and enjoy the well landscaped neighborhood, amenities, and friendly neighbors!  When you enter the neighborhood, you are greeted by ponds, fountains and arbors.  It's quite picturesque.  It feels like Rainbow Row as you troll down the main drag and enjoy unique architecture, piazzas, and double front porches.  The community has courtyards, green spaces, parks and sidewalks. I have yet to be in the nei... 07/14/2008

UPDATE: Trip is over :-( So much FUN ! We went everywhere and saw everything. Buffalo, Deer, Mountain goats and even Chipmunks ! Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone and even the Mall of America ! Wall Drug in South Dakota, what a trip ! We even got caught up in the middle of the Sturgis bike rally ! WOW ! GO ON VACATION AND SEE AMERICA.....You will not regret it ! Belinda     Yeah, Summer is here. My family and I are hitting the road once again. Our kids will celebrate their birthdays on the road, they will be 13 & 16 ! FUN, FUN, FUN !                                                                         My Kids                                   My Husband & Me Every other year we drive form Summerville, South Carolina (Our home of residence) to San Diego, California (Our dream home and where... 07/13/2008

Yes, July to October is the time of year that we in the south have to be prepared for hurricanes. I have for you a list of Emergency supplies that every household should have. Please plan ahead so that you will be ready for what ever may happen. Here is a link to the National Hurricane Center. You can track storm status and get more information from here .   http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ I hope this list will be helpful to everyone, Be sure to add anything else to your kit that you think would be helpful to you and your family. Disaster Preparedness KitThe most important part of your disaster plan is having a portable kit that includes the basic life support you will need after a disaster. Prepare to be self sufficient for at least 3 - 14 days. Here is a list of survival materials that shoul... 07/13/2008

Homes for Sale in Waterside Landing are located in Summerville, SC.  Waterside Landing is located off of Dorchester Road, between Bacon's Bridge Road and Main Street of Summerville.  Eastwood Homes is the builder in Waterside Landing and they plan to build on 120 wooded home sites, with a beautiful conservation area, boardwalk and nature trail to the Ashley River, hence the title "Waterside Landing." Another benefit of buying a home for sale in Waterside Landing is that you are just a short distance from I-26, the Charleston Air Force Base and North Charleston. View Homes for Sale in Waterside Landing and see if one fits your needs! To learn more about real estate for sale in Summerville, SC and about Waterside Landing, please e-mail me or call 843-974-6029. 07/11/2008

The annual 4th of July celebration "Red, White & Blue on the Green" will be held Wednesday, July 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. on Summerville's Town Square. This old fashioned 4th of July celebration focuses on families and is hosted by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration Enhancement and Management Corporation). Events and activities include a magic show, live music, games for children of all ages, jump castles and prizes. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies and cool treats will be sold and proceeds will benefit Summerville D.R.E.A.M. VanDoren the Magician will perform a professional magic show at 5 p.m. in front of the bandstand and a non-motorized parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Registration for the parade begins at 4 p.m. As tradition calls for, participants bring their own decorated b... 06/26/2008

Homes for Sale in Cane Bay Plantation are located in Summerville, SC.  Situated on a 4500 acre tract of land that is under the development of Charleston's Gramling Brothers Real Estate and Development, Cane Bay Plantation is new development with beautiful homes for sale.The Cane Bay Plantation area will be the home to 10,000 homes, area schools, churches, a hospital, winding bike trails and a 120 acre lake. The developers have donated land to Berkeley County School District for a brand new high school and elementary school. Cane Bay High is scheduled to be complete in the Fall of 2008 and will accomodate 1500 students. The elementary school will follow in 2009 and will be located across the street from the high school. Three builders are currently building in Cane Bay Plantation- Centex... 06/03/2008

I personally have made several LONG DISTANCE moves. I come from a military family and we have moved ALOT. Japan, Virginina, North Carolina, California, Kansas, SouthCarolina ! WOW ! I understand what a RELOCATION move is all about and what is involved. Let me be your source for Re-Location assistance. I can make a referral to a qualified Realtor for you if you are leaving South Carolina, and if you are moving to Charleston or Summerville South Carolina, Ask for me...I will help every step of the way.  At AgentOwned Realty Company we are Proud members of the....To be selected for membership in Leading Real Estate Companies of the WorldTM, companies must meet and maintain high performance standards, thus assuring you - the consumer - of the very best in full-service, high-value real estat... 05/07/2008

My office, AgentOwned Realty is PROUD to be  participating in this program .... Down Payment Assistance for TeachersSC State Housing's, "Palmetto Hero Program"   Licensed classroom teachers can now qualify for up to $7,000 in forgivable down payment assistance to help out with the purchase of their next home.   Borrower must have his or her South Carolina Teachers Certification and currently teach or have a contract to begin teaching within 60 days of closing on the home. He/she must live and teach in South Carolina.   Interest rate is fixed for 30 years at 5.87%.   For more details contact your Palmetto Hero Program specialist, Julia Chism at (843) 261-7183Or me, Belinda Sanchez, Realtor (843) 261-711 04/30/2008

Slow Real Estate Market.....NOT slow in Summerville and surrounding areas of South Carolina !        We here in Summerville South Carolina are DEFINATELY picking up speed. Buyers are realizing the market  is PERFECT for wheeling & dealing ! Sellers are willing to negotiate. And Realtors are READY to WORK !STATISTICS for the area for last month in Summerville: 84 houses SOLD, average sales price $205,351, average days on the market 106, average list price $270,413. AND 1578 houses on the market. This information is what I have gathered form our local MLS and is only as accurate as I can guess....Not guaranteed information.Another GREAT reason to Live in the South !Can you believe it??? YEAH !! I hope everyone elses markets are improving as well as ours. For Local Interest rates, programs... 04/28/2008

May is almost here and the beautiful weather is still here as well. With an average high of 83 and low of 59, May is one of the nicest months to sight see and enjoy the outdoors of Summerville and Charleston!  So... in honor of one of my favorite months, I've compiled a list of fun things to do during the month of May. Click Here to visit my blog and read about Spoleto, Piccolo Spoleto, Summerville Outdoor Concert Series, Middleton Plantation, Sculpture in the South, Wannamaker Park and many more ideas.  04/23/2008

This beautiful custom home is located in The Club at Legend Oaks Plantation. The Club is a private gated community, and this home is located on the golf course! The home features double front porches, an open floor plan and 4 large bedrooms (with option for a 5th). All the bedrooms have great closets and large bathrooms. Be sure to check out the master bathroom - no detail was spared!                                        04/22/2008

The following are the new homes available from David Weekly Homes as from 4/8/2008Homes Ready Now for Daniel Island in Charleston as of 4/8/2008  PlanCommunity Price Address StoriesBedrooms Baths Garages Estimated Completion  DUBLINDaniel Island$451,4009021 Merchant Street132/ DetachReady for Move In!Homes Ready Now for Oak Terrace Preserve in North Charleston as of 4/8/2008  PlanCommunity Price Address StoriesBedrooms Baths Garages Estimated Completion  BISBEEOak Terrace Preserve$215,4945183 East Liberty Park Circle22-32.5/ Detach6/2/2008Homes Ready Now for Palmetto Forest - Legend Oaks in Summerville as of 4/8/2008  PlanCommunity Price Address StoriesBedrooms Baths Garages Estimated Completion HOUSTONPalmetto Forest - Legend Oaks$359,400269 Carolinian Dr.24-52.5+2 / FrontReady for Mov... 04/08/2008

The following are the new homes available from David Weekly Homes as from 4/3/2008 Homes Ready Now for Daniel Island in Charleston as of 4/3/2008 PlanCommunity Price Address StoriesBedrooms Baths Garages Estimated Completion  DUBLINDaniel Island$451,4009021 Merchant Street132/ DetachReady for Move In! Homes Ready Now for Oak Terrace Preserve in North Charleston as of 4/3/2008 PlanCommunity Price Address StoriesBedrooms Baths Garages Estimated Completion  BISBEEOak Terrace Preserve$215,4945183 East Liberty Park Circle22-32.5/ Detach5/30/2008 Homes Ready Now for Palmetto Forest - Legend Oaks in Summerville as of 4/3/2008  PlanCommunity Price Address StoriesBedrooms Baths Garages Estimated Completion HOUSTONPalmetto Forest - Legend Oaks$359,400269 Carolinian Dr.24-52.5+2 / FrontReady for M... 04/03/2008