Search for Charleston SC Real Estate and Folly Beach SC Real Estate: 2009

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We are pleased to announce that with the help of clients, friends, family and co-workers, we were able to collect 783 pounds of food to distribute to the Lowcountry Food Bank in our annual holiday food drive. This food will equal 612 meals for needy families in the Charleston, SC area.

If you are looking for a great cause, please give food or money to the Lowcountry Food Bank, you can reach them at 843-747-8146, on the web at Lowcountry Food Bank Website and the main contact is Amy Kosar...here is their mission statement:

Our mission is to feed the poor and hungry of the ten coastal counties of South Carolina by soliciting and distributing healthy food and grocery products to nonprofit agencies serving the poor, and to educate the public about the problems of and solutions to domestic hunger.

We will be working with the Lowcountry Food Bank throughout the year as their needs are year round not just during the holiday season. Thanks again for your help!

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Buying or Selling in Folly Beach or Charleston, South Carolina?

Call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. I specialize in the following areas of Charleston, SC: James Island, Folly Beach, West Ashley, Johns Island & Historic Downtown.

All I ask is for the opportunity to earn your business! I will be happy to discuss your situation in confidence and there is no obligation what-so-ever...I look forward to your call or email.

Search for Charleston, SC & Folly Beach, SC properties for FREE at CHARLESTON SC HOME SEARCH

747 Swanson Ave. featured in Post & Courier

747 Swanson Ave.

New Craftsman-style house on James Island matches high-end interior with vast decks, large lot

By Jim Parker Saturday, December 19, 2009

The builder of a new brick house off Fort Johnson Road is just six years removed from The Citadel.

Yet Grant Zinkon's work at 747 Swanson Ave. is notable for its appearance, which is in-line with experienced craftsmen.

The two-story home in the Eastwood neighborhood offers plenty of square footage on a half-acre lot.

Take something as basic as the front door. Rather than installing an entrance of attractive but less long-lasting wood, the builder chose solid mahogany, says Randall Sandin, broker with the Charleston Pier Partners group at Carolina One Real Estate. "It's custom-made," says Sandin, who is listing the house for $625,000.

The two-story, 2,900-square-foot-home is on a half-acre lot with a large fenced-in backyard. It is located in the existing Eastwood neighborhood on James Island.

"It's more of a Craftsman-style home - two-story brick, tapered columns, square edging," says Zinkon, who started Zinkon Development Co.

An unusual feature of the three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home is a room over the garage that's set up as a loft or play area. It is at the head of the first flight of stairs, giving the house a spilt-level feel. There's a walk-in closet and a bathroom, so the space could be used as a fourth bedroom, Sandin says.

A wide-open kitchen showcases pendant lighting, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

The second floor contains the sprawling master suite. The master bedroom has space for a sitting area and the luxurious bathroom shows off a jetted tub with fitted towel slots and separate glassed-in shower. The tub and shower surrounds are three-quarter-inch marble - Zinkon cut the pieces in the shower ceiling to fit them because they were so heavy. Two sizable guest bedrooms on the second level are served by a large bathroom.

Spotlighting the first floor is an open kitchen. The center island has a granite countertop and a base of lyptus wood, a Brazilian hardwood. Stainless appliances include a Bosch dishwasher, GE Profile refrigerator and a cooktop, oven and microwave. An eating area beside the kitchen leads to a wide wood deck in the back. The kitchen also connects to the formal dining room at the front of the house.

To the right of the foyer is a narrow storage area with a half-bath decked in bead board at the far end. There's also a cozy family room, a full bath and a side alcove that leads to a screened-in side porch for grilling.

The house has three bedrooms upstairs. This spacious bedroom has recessed lighting.

Steps lead down to a small mud room with built-in shelves for supplies. The door opens into the garage, which has one garage door but has space for two cars and also has a built-in closet.

Floors are Australian cypress, which Zinkon says he likes because it is "very knotty."

The front of the house has dormer windows, ample front porch and sizable yard.

Sandin says the home would be alluring to a "young family with one or two kids that likes the laid back James Island lifestyle." This is also an opportunity for new construction in Eastwood, an established community.

"The whole neighborhood is family friendly," he says. Kids ride bikes along the street paths, and parents tool around in golf carts.

"What's cool is the neighborhood has old dirt roads," Zinkon says. The new Sunrise Park and James Island Yacht Club are at the end of one of those roads, nudging Charleston Harbor.

Located above the garage, the bonus room can be a play area, den or even an extra bedroom.

"It's a little bit of country, large lots one-third to one acre, plenty of room," Sandin says.

The house is near the northeast tip of James Island. Proceed across the James Island Connector, taking the Harbor View Road exit. Turn right on Harbor View Road and travel to its end at Fort Johnson Road. Turn left on Fort Johnson Road and then make turn on Swanson Avenue, which is the first left. Look for 747 Swanson, which is on the left.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com, photos by Leroy Burnell

Agent: Randall Sandin, rsandin@carolina.eom

Office: Carolina One Real Estate

Phone: (843) 209-9667

Philosophy: "My goal is to develop long-term relationships with my clients by giving the highest level of customer service, detailed market knowledge along with an honest and realistic analysis of market conditions. Open lines of communication are key so my clients are informed and understand their individual situations."

www.CharlestonPierPartners.com

Wild Dunes Resort - Major Price Reduction

OWNERS ARE READY TO SELL THIS WILD DUNES HOME

WE JUST REDUCED TO $599,000

If you have clients looking for turn-key investment property, a second home or a primary residence in Wild Dunes, please make sure you show them 20 Lake Village Lane. This single family home is being sold fully furnished and is an easy walk to the beach and the Grand Pavilion and Village Plaza at Wild Dunes.

20 Lake Village Lane - Wild Dunes

3 BD, 2 BA, hardwood floors, fully furnished $599,000,

MLS# 2925875, VISUAL TOUR

Call Randall at 209-9667 for rental history info.

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Buying or Selling in Folly Beach or Charleston, South Carolina?

All I ask is for the opportunity to earn your business! I will be happy to discuss your situation in confidence and there is no obligation what-so-ever...I look forward to your call or email.

Search for Charleston, SC & Folly Beach, SC properties for FREE at CHARLESTON SC HOME SEARCH

Red Flags from the Home Inspection

As we all know, the home inspection is one of the most important parts of the real estate transaction. It is critical to have an experienced and qualified inspector who knows what he or she is doing. Here are a few "red-flag" items to make sure you look out for whne buying a home.

Poor water pressure. Aside from issues of comfort and convenience, low water flow may indicate plumbing problems, such as corroded pipes that will need to be replaced down the road. Tearing out old plumbing and replacing it with copper pipes can run $2,000 to $15,000 or more in a typical 1,500-square-foot home. A less costly alternative is cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) piping, which unlike rigid copper piping, is flexible and easier to install (approved for potable use in all U.S. model plumbing and mechanical codes, but may not be approved in local building codes).

Among tests you can do: Run water in a bathroom sink and check for weak flow. Flush the toilet while the water is running. Does the faucet flow drop off during the flush? In the bathroom located farthest from the water heater, turn on the hot water. Is there an unduly long delay before the water turns hot?

Ceiling stains. Something's leaking. If the stain appears beneath a bathroom, odds are the shower is leaking. It may merely need recaulking or regrouting, but it could also require ripping out tile and replacing the shower pan, a much more costly process (about $1,500). Most roof leaks result from neglected flashing that seals "valleys" in the roof or around a chimney or vents (cost to repair: $200 to $500). But roof leaks may also mean it's time to replace shingles -- at $100 to $350 per 100 square feet for asphalt shingles and $210 to $1,000 for wood shingles.

Troublesome doors. Are the doors hard to close? Do they swing open by themselves or fail to open fully? If you have one bad door, it may simply have been installed incorrectly. But more than one may indicate a serious structural issue, such as a foundation that has settled or framing that is deteriorating. Fixing this problem can require structural and geotechnical engineering reports and thousands of dollars in repairs.

Overloaded electrical outlets or lots of extension cords. Today's electrical demands may exceed the capacity of homes built as little as a decade ago, says Kuhn. You'll spend $75 to $250 to have an electrician add a 120-volt outlet to an existing circuit. Or, if the electrical system is very outdated, it may require a new electric panel. A new, 100-amp panel will cost $1,500 to $2,500.

Exterior features that slope toward the home. A porch, patio, driveway or grading that slopes toward the home all but guarantees water in the basement. And that may lead to structural decay, mold and insect infestation. In the basement, a musty smell may indicate previous flooding or ongoing moisture problems. Check the walls for stains, dark or light, which are tell-tale signs that water has penetrated the walls.

Solving the problem may be as simple and cheap as adding gutter extensions or regrading soil away from the home, or it could require thousands of dollars to excavate and build drains. Some homes may require exterior drains (one at the bottom of a sloped driveway, for example) as well as buried drains.

Odors. Cigarette smoke and pet odors can be hard to get rid of. And if a home smells too clean -- heavy with the scent of cleaning products (especially bleach) or plug-in deodorizers -- the seller may be trying to cover up an odor, such as mold or urine. If so, you need to inquire further, says Richardson, of the American Society of Home Inspectors.

Synthetic stucco siding. This must be installed precisely or else moisture will be trapped behind it, resulting in mold and decay. In the worst case, the siding will have to be replaced. For a medium-sized house (1,250 square feet of exterior surface area), replacing vinyl siding can cost $2,500 to $8,750, while wood or fiber cement siding can cost $5,600 to $10,000 or more. Especially in humid climates, you may want to pay for a special inspection. HouseMaster charges $600 and up, depending on how much of the material has been used and the size of the house.

Make sure you fully understand the issues with the home you are lookign to purchase and do not feel bad about asking for more inspection time or getting a second opinion. Remember, once you buy the home, all of the good and bad things come with it.

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Buying or Selling in Folly Beach or Charleston, South Carolina?

All I ask is for the opportunity to earn your business! I will be happy to discuss your situation in confidence and there is no obligation what-so-ever...I look forward to your call or email.

Search for Charleston, SC & Folly Beach, SC properties for FREE at CHARLESTON SC HOME SEARCH

Mornings at Folly Beach, South Carolina

Thinking of getting that beach home...finally?

Here is your view during your morning walks on the beach!

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Buying or Selling in Folly Beach or Charleston, South Carolina?

Call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. All I ask is for the opportunity to earn your business! I will be happy to discuss your situation in confidence and there is no obligation what-so-ever...I look forward to your call or email.

Search for Charleston, SC & Folly Beach, SC properties for FREE at CHARLESTON SC HOME SEARCH

SOLD on James Island, SC

Just sold 662 Clearview Drive, Charleston SC 29412

Here is what my client had to say:

"I think I can finally say I'm settled in! That said I don't think I ever took the time to thank you as much as I should have. As you know the process of selling my house was a very emotional one for me and you were unbelievably patient and supportive. I can't begin to tell you how much that helped.

I told several friends about how easy it was to get in touch with you when I needed to and how much information you had whenever I asked questions. Most of them were surprised. It seems they didn't have the same story to tell with realtors they've worked with. For all of my complaining about 'keeping it clean' the way appointments were scheduled was relatively easy too.

So thank you again, so much, for everything you did and the time you spent making sure it was as easy as selling and moving can be- especially in these times."

Buying or Selling in Charleston, South Carolina? Call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Let me earn your business! I will be happy to discuss your situation in confidence and there is no obligation what-so-ever...I look forward to your call or email.

Search for Charleston, SC & Folly Beach, SC properties for FREE at CHARLESTON SC HOME SEARCH

North Charleston Condo ~~ Price Reduction

NEW PRICE of $94,500 ~~ Looking for a clean & well cared for condo, conveniently located to I-26 & I-526 and priced to sell, please give Randall Sandin a call at 843-209-9667 about 8078 Shadow Oak Drive.

8078 front 8078 living

8078 dining 8078 pool

8078 Shadow Oak Drive - Oak Bluff

MLS# 2926273, Only $94,500

2 BD, 1.5 BA, 1000 sq ft, back patio

Regime covers all and is just $196 per month

To see this property or for more info, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or reach me at rsandin@carolinaone.com.

Search the Charleston MLS for homes at http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com

Charleston SC - Holiday Festival of Lights

Making the Magic Happen ~~ Behind-the-Scenes at the Holiday Festival of Lights

By Charlie Morrison

The holiday season is once again upon us. The shorter days, the blustery winds, and those manic shopping sprees have the power to dampen our holiday spirits. What sometimes gets lost in all of this is the idea that the holiday season is the time of the year we give thanks to the things that make our lives healthy, fruitful, and fulfilling. For residents of the Lowcountry, we have an extra reason to be thankful each and every year: James Island County Park's Holiday Festival of Lights.

The Charleston Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) is doing a little bit of celebrating themselves this year. The 2009-2010 holiday season marks the 20th anniversary of the Holiday Festival of Lights, no small feat considering all of the turbulence the past two decades. The festival has survived recessions, hurricanes, and an-ever changing Charleston region, largely in part to the people behind the scenes. For an inside look into the strength and resilience of the event, JIM spoke to two of the Festival's key players: Director of Maintenance David Chappell and Holiday Festival of Lights Supervisor Rich Raab, both residents of James Island.

The Origins of the Festival

The Holiday Festival of Lights started modestly. Former CCPRC Director Tim Eubanks wanted to bring something new to the park. He and Chappell scanned the country for ideas, and what emerged was a trek to Wheeling, West Virginia and Oglebay Park. Oglebay had been putting on a wintertime event called the Winter Festival of Lights, which was a big hit in the small town about an hour southwest of Pittsburgh. CCPRC purchased 18 light displays from Oglebay Park, and the James Island County Park Festival of Lights was born.

Purchasing the light was just the beginning, and the growth of the festival that followed was exponential. Enter Rich Raab, Holiday Festival of Lights Supervisor. Raab saw the park's newest asset and said to Chappell, "I can build these." Seeing Raab's enthusiasm and knowing his artistic and metal-working abilities, Chappell responded with a challenge, telling Raab if he thought he could fabricate the designs himself, he should go ahead and do it.

"Lets see if you can really do it. Build me a couple of snowflake designs over the summer, complete with lighting, and then we'll really know if its possible or not," he told Raab.

Over that next summer, Raab, working in his home-based shop, created a total of 80 snowflake displays. And the rest, as they say, is history. Rich Raab became the architect of the displays, and earned himself a full-time job as the Festival of Lights supervisor, a position he's held for all 20 years.

Chappell knew what he had at that point. The wheels began to spin in his mind about what the Holiday Festival of Lights could be, and growth of "the little light show" into the holiday extravaganza we all know and love began. Today, the Holiday Festival of Lights features more than 650 displays and over 100 individual pieces, all dreamed up, designed and created by Rich Raab, who David Chappell fondly calls "a true artist."

Santa's Workshop

Putting on the Festival of Lights is a year-round event. Raab's current work facility, which he fondly dubbed "Santa's Workshop," has undergone an evolution of its own. In the past, Raab and his crew used a basic technique of drawing a rough chalk outline of an image onto the concrete floor, and bended rebar into the shapes he needed. Today, the artist utilizes a scanner, a computer, and a projector to lay the template of an image on the concrete. Once Raab finds an image he likes, he scans it into the computer. The digital image makes any edits he sees fit to make much easier. The edited image is then sent to a projector that's mounted on the ceiling of the shop and pointed straight down to the floor design area. Alterations regarding the size of the image, and the display to be created, can be made with a click of the mouse.

With a projected image of the potential display piece illuminated on the floor of the workshop, the design team can begin the process of cutting, bending, shaping, and welding the rebar skeleton into the form they want. Raab is a bit of a perfectionist.

"Even when I get a drawing or image I like, I spend hours on the computer re-working the drawing. Then, even when it's on the floor, I sometimes decide the image isn't going to work, so I begin again," he said.

There is a practical reason to build and maintain the displays in-house, notes David Chappell. "The sun's UV rays fade the bulbs," he says. "The fading defeats the purpose of being clear, distinct, joyful, and wonderful. That's the battle. If the lights aren't clear the people wouldn't come back. It wouldn't be as festive".

With the metalworking done, Raab and his team begin the tedious process of adding the lights. These days, the design crew utilizes many types of lights in their displays. These include six different varieties of bulbs: mini-lights, icicle lights, rope lights, the typical big-bulb C-7 and C-9 lights, and the team's newest toy, LED lights.

The 'light infantry'

David Chappell says it's nice to have the talented Raab handling the production and maintenance of the individual displays, but that's only half the battle. The workforce behind the project is immense by necessity. Chappell's traditional duties are to maintain the CCPRC's ten parks and 19 boat landings, a feat that requires a staff of 65 full-time CCPRC employees. These employees, efficiently broken up into smaller teams, each spend time on the Festival of Lights project, but even they need help getting the job done. That's where the volunteers come in.

The James Island County Park utilizes "campground hosts," visitors that put in 40+ hours of labor each on the project. In return, the park grants them free use to water and electricity. Each volunteer brings various areas of expertise, something Chappell needs desperately to make the show happen.

Chappell says the folks that offer up their time and knowledge are the real heroes of the festival. "It's better to have volunteerism because they look at it not as job, but as something they have to do now," he says. "They're fantastic. They come to maintenance and do nothing but lights bulbs and a couple various jobs like drop trash off, pick up litter, and help with recycling."

For the Love of the Show

Having worked together in growing the Festival for the last 20 years, Chappell and Raab clearly have higher motives for doing the work. For Raab, spending all year building displays in the heat of a Lowcountry summer is worth it. "This job is a lot of work in the summer sweathouse, but every year, to see kids' faces light up, it's all worth it," said Raab.

Raab sees the financial side as well. "The other reward I feel personally is, for $10, a family can come in and see the show," he says.

Chappell is proud of the County Parks' ability to price the event reasonably as well. "Our goal is to be efficient, if we're not efficient, the cost to the consumer has to go up," he says. "We've charged only $10 a car for 10 years. The park wants a really great family tradition. It's history now, its something that people look forward to. We want to be so efficient that we can keep the costs down. If you can do a quality show and people come to it, the reward is pretty good."

A lot of time, effort and hardworking people go in to putting this project together. Here's a look at some of the numbers:

* Individual Lights: 2,000,000+

* Large Displays: 650+

* Display Pieces: 1,000+

* Workers: 150+

* Time to power up and power down the lights: 45 minutes each

* Sets of mini-lights: 10,000 (500,000 lights, for 56 displays)

* Avg. nightly light bill: $1,000

* Electrical Breakers used in show: 6,000

* Life of glass bulbs: 3,000 hours

* Nights of Show: 52

* Annual Visitors: 200,000+

* Trailers used to store lights: 29

* Price in 1999: $10/car

* Price in 2009: $10/ car

* Avg. number of glass bulbs changed each year during 4-week period: 170,000

* Avg. number of displays refurbished or added each year: 35

* Avg. Weight of pig cooked for staff appreciation party: 130 lbs.

Charlie Morrison is staff writer for the James Island Messenger and West Of, both publications of Wiser Time Publishing. Contact Charlie at 843-297-0528 or by email at MorrisonCD31@yahoo.com or visit the James Island Messenger at JAMES ISLAND MESSENGER

For information on Charleston, SC and Folly Beach, SC real estate, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Search the Charleston MLS for free at CHARLESTON REAL ESTATE SEARCH

James Island SC - Price Reduction - Eastwood Neighborhood

JUST REDUCED TO $338,000!!! Eastwood Neighborhood on James Island, South Carolina

753 Willow Lake Road 4 BD, 2 BA with a spacious yard, beautiful hardwoods, 1/2 acre lot, open floor plan, large screened porch & more

$338,000, MLS# 2919814 VISUAL TOUR Easy to show - just call CSS.

753 front 753 back porch

For info on Charleston SC homes, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Search the Charleston MLS for free at CHARLESTON SC HOME SEARCH

How Negative Items Affect your Credit Score

There was a great article on www.msn.com today regarding how items affect one's credit score. With the large number of short sales and foreclosures we are seeing and will continue to see, it is important people reliaze the impact on their credit score.

Here is the link to the article: MSN CREDIT SCORE ARTICLE

Effect on a 680 score 780 score

Maxed-out card	-10 to -30	-25 to -45
30-day late payment	-60 to -80	-90 to -110
Debt settlement	-45 to -65	-105 to -125
Foreclosure	-85 to -105	-140 to -160
Bankruptcy	-130 to -150	-220 to -240

For info on Charleston SC real estate, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Search for Charleston homes at CHARLESTON HOME SEARCH

Boeing comes to Charleton, SC

Boeing

Work on Boeing Co.'s massive 787 Dreamliner plant got underway with a groundbreaking ceremony today that was attended by dozens of elected officials and hundreds of Boeing employees.

Jim Albaugh, Boeing's president of commercial airplanes, praised the local workforce and said the aerospace giant's recent decision to expand in Charleston, South Carolina is going to be good for our competitiveness, it's going to be good for our company, it's going to be good for the country and I think it will create jobs not just here in South Carolina but in Washington state.

For info on Charleston, SC real estate contact Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Search the Charleston MLS for free at SEARCH CHARLESTON SC HOMES

Another home SOLD on James Island

Just SOLD! 662 Clearview Drive in the Clearview neighborhood on James Island, SC

Sold for $225,000

Here is what my client had to say:

"As you know the process of selling my house was a very emotional one for me and you were unbelievably patient and supportive. I can't begin to tell you how much that helped.

So thank you again, so much, for everything you did and the time you spent making sure it was as easy as selling and moving can be- especially in these times." - Jayne H.

If you are thinking of selling or buying in Charleston SC, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email me at rsandin@carolinaone.com. All I ask is for the opportunity to earn your business. Search the Charleston MLS for free at www.charlestonpierpartners.com

Charleston SC - Weekend Fun

Charleston SC - Weekend Fun for 11/20-21

Guest Chef - Fig Chef Mike Lata has invited friend and fellow chef Chris Hastings to be a guest chef for a special dinner Sunday. Hastings, who has been nominated for a James Beard Award, is the chef-owner of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Ala. He will be cooking a four-course prix fixe menu from his new book, The Hot & Hot Fish Club Cookbook: A Celebration of Food, Family & Traditions . The dinner is at 6 p.m. and costs $75 for dinner only or $100 for dinner and a signed book. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. For more information or to make reservations, go online or call 843-805-5900.

Words & Women - The Lowcountry has produced a bevy of female authors, including Sue Monk Kidd, Anne Rivers Siddons, Mary Alice Monroe and Nathalie Dupree. More than 50 Southern female authors will be gathering on Saturday for the annual Lowcountry Women Authors Holiday Book Sale and Signing. The event, hosted by the Center for Women and the Mount Pleasant Barnes & Noble, will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at the former Tweeter space in Towne Centre. Come meet the authors and enjoy refreshments provided by Saffron Cafe, Charleston Cookie Co. and Chili's in Mount Pleasant. Cost is $10 at the door, which benefits the Center for Women.

Going, Going...Gone - Your chance to snag some unique art and help support the local visual arts scene comes Saturday at the annual Art Auction hosted by Redux Contemporary Art Center . More than 50 original works will be up for live auction at the Charleston Center for Photography. Browse the artworks in the gallery while enjoying food and drinks. The bidding starts at 8 p.m. Participating artists include JB Boyd, Scott Debus, Matt Foreman, Stacy Pearsall, Ben Timpson and Ann Darby Parker. The event runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 each or $10 for Redux members and can be purchased at the door. Proceeds benefit Redux.

College Basketball Tournament - The second annual Charleston Classic is bringing eight college teams to play some basketball at the Carolina First Arena. Teams in this year's field are: Davidson, Miami, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Penn State, South Carolina, Tulane, La Salle and South Florida. The 12 games start today in bracket format and will culminate Sunday with the championship match. A tournament pass is $90 for all the games, a booster ticket is $50 for six games, and single session tickets are $20 for two games. Purchase tickets at 843-953-2632, online or at the Carolina First box office.

Oyster Shindig - The Summerville YMCA is hosting its annual oyster shindig from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at Pine Forest Country Club. Dance to the East Coast Party Band or nosh on oysters, wings, barbecue and desserts. There will be a cash bar. For $25, go on the "pearl dive" and dig in the sandbox for your treasure. Tickets are $30 each, $15 for kids younger than 12 or $35 at the door. Get tickets at the Summerville YMCA or by calling 843-871-9622, ext. 120.

Just for the Girls - Bring the crew out to Kiawah Island tonight for some shopping and champagne during Girls Night Out from 4 to 8 p.m. The 18 shops at Freshfields Village are staying open late and offering special promotions and extras such as complimentary gift wrapping and giveaways. In between shopping, sip on champagne, munch on some chocolate and cheese and enjoy the live music by Miss Behavin'. There is no charge to attend. Freshfields Village is at the crossroads of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns islands.

Moon Night - Twilight fans can finally watch the second installment in the series tonight at the midnight premiere of New Moon. Cinebarre is hosting a special double feature, with Twilight showing inside starting at 9 p.m. and the New Moon premiere following outside on the big screen. Bring chairs and blankets, as well as cash for hot chocolate, snacks and wine. Tickets are $10 for each show and can be purchased online, at Cinebarre and at the door. New Moon is also premiering at midnight at the Terrace Hippodrome Theater, with all kinds of New Moon giveaways, plus theater tickets for life. Tickets are $11 and can be purchased online.

Start the Season - Third Thursday in Summerville kicks off the season with a Holiday Open House. Merchants will be decked out for the Best and the Brightest holiday decorating competition. The Josh Padgett Trio will be at Hutchinson Square with its eclectic, jazz-tinged sound, and the Plantation Singers will be in the Short Central shopping district from 7 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be available, and merchants will be open late with holiday specials. For more information, go online.

If you are thinking about buying or selling real estate in Charleston SC, pelase call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Let me earn your business!

Search for Charleston SC homes at CHARLESTON HOME SEARCH

James Island Lot - Cleared w/ Grand oaks & Marsh Views

Buildable Lot on James Island - Charleston, SC Real Estate

If you are looking for privacy, views and a lot that is ready to build, then please come give me a call about this .708 acre lot on the corner of Old Military Road and Battalion Drive on James Island.

Old Mil lot old Mil view

Cleared w/ Grand Oaks Marsh View across St

Click here for the VISUAL TOUR Septic permit and survey are available.

Please call Randall at 209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com

0 Old Military Road - Ft. Lamar MLS# 2929235, $150,000

For info on this lot or other Charleston, SC properties, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Search the Charleston MLS for FREE at SEARCH CHARLESTON HOMES

McLeod Plantation, the last of 17 antebellum plantations on James Island, faces an uncertain future

What Would Mr. Willie Do?

College, Friends of McLeod lay out competing visions for historic site

By Charlie Morrison

Staff Writer

In late September the trustees of the Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) made the decision to sell one of their most historically important assets, and one of the most historically important assets on James Island, McLeod Plantation, to the College of Charleston Foundation (CCF). The sale of the property and its 36.9 acres at a price of $4 million is subject to a 90-day due diligence period, currently being undertaken by CCF representatives. The due diligence period will allow the CCF one last chance to investigate the property before they finalize the deal and move ahead with their plans for the property. The plans themselves, however, are the subject of much controversy.

The late William "Mr. Willie" McLeod left a one-third interest in his property to the non-profit HCF through his will, which they received upon his death in 1990. Since that time, the HCF acquired the rest of the property. Since then, they have been searching for a buyer that would properly steward the historic property.

The HCF thought they had that buyer in 2004 when they sold the property to the American College of the Building Arts (ACBA), but they were forced to sell the property back to the HCF in 2008 as a result of the school's poor financial position. It was at that time that the HCF examined the possibility of selling the property to the College of Charleston Foundation.

Historic Charleston Foundation's executive director, Katherine Robinson, expressed her reasons for looking in the College's direction. "They have the ability to stabilize the properties that need to be stabilized. They have the funding," said Robinson. "It was never our intention to own it, but to be certain that the property could be preserved by a preservation-minded buyer," said Robinson.

The HCF has preemptively instituted nationally recognized protective easements to ensure that much of the property will remain as it was in antebellum times. The easements mandate that all restoration must meet or exceed the preservation standards outlined by the U.S. Department of Interior for the restoration and rehabilitation of historic properties. The easements apply to all of the buildings on the property, including the main house, the five slave cabins, the barn, kitchen house, the gin house, the carriage house, and the oak allees that line the road to the house from Folly Road. In addition, the HCF must approve any proposed construction on the property, which Robinson says is further insurance that the spirit of the plantation remains intact.

Though the protective easements are firmly established, the Purchase and Sale Agreement does allow for some further development of the property. The CCF released an initial, non-binding outline of the potential uses for the property. Though the outline conveys the CCF's stated intention to "respect the history of McLeod plantation," it also reveals some of the potential uses for the property, uses that have alarmed some in the historic preservation community. The initial plans state that students in the archeology, African-American studies, history, historic preservation and community planning, natural sciences, and studio art disciplines would potentially utilize the site. Additionally, the acres of open fields could potentially be used for recreational activities including intramural sports. That part of the plan is what has irked preservation groups the most.

The Friends of McLeod Inc., a non-profit advocacy group fighting for their own vision for the plantation, has voiced their opposition. Friends board member Carol Jacobson verbalized those concerns. "We want the absolute best for McLeod and the educational component sits there like an elephant in the room," said Robinson.

Friends of McLeod's plan calls for the preservation of the building and grounds as opposed to the restoration of the property, which they say would diminish its historical value. The group is concerned that the College's plan would permanently and irreversibly alter the plantation. They would like the plantation to serve as a passive park, but with an active Sea Island heritage center on premises. In addition, the group envisions a set of five walking tour pathways, each revealing a different facet of the plantation's rich history. Examples of the individual paths include a path dedicated to illustrating the African-American Sea Islanders' post-Reconstruction work on the land, and the use of the plantation in wars dating back to the American Revolution.

The 90-day due diligence period being undertaken by the CCF will end in mid-January. The College's plans for McLeod Plantation won't fully materialize until then, if not later. Until then, preservation activists are left with only questions.

What would Mr. Willie do?

Ultimately, the Historic Charleston Foundation is the steward of the property as outlined in William McLeod's 1985 will. McLeod left open the possibility of more homes being built on the surrounding property, but it is clear he wanted the main house and acreage immediately surrounding it be preserved.

His will reads: "I direct that Historic Charleston Foundation, Inc. place restrictive covenants on as much of the above described real property as possible so as to preserve my residence as a single family residence, to preserve the Oak Avenue and to provide that as much of the property as possible be restricted to single family residence or residences having the lowest possible density. How this is done shall be left to the best judgment of Historic Charleston Foundation, Inc."

Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended

The deadline for buyers to take advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit has been extended to April 30, 2010 and new provisions have been added to include a credit for existing homeowners.

An $8,000 tax credit is available to first-time homebuyers. Purchaser (and purchaser's spouse) may not have owned a principal residence in 3 years prior to purchase to meet first-time homebuyer definition. A $6,500 credit is available to homebuyers who have owned and lived in a home for 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years.

Any single family residence (including condos, co-ops and townhouses) that will be used as the principal residence and has a purchase price of less than $800,000.

The full amount of credit is available for individuals with adjusted gross income of no more than $125,000 or joint gross income of no more than $225,000. The credit is phased out to lower amounts for individuals and joint filers with higher gross incomes.

Buyers must have a ratified contract on or before April 30, 2010 and close within 60 days of that deadline.

The previous agreement required that buyers close on their home by November 30 to qualify for the credit. The expanded agreement gives buyers until April 30, 2010 to ratify a contract and requires that the closing take place within 60 days.

"The Charleston market has maintained a strong momentum coming out of the summer season-due in large part to the tax credit-and we cannot let this momentum lag. This crucial expansion allows all homebuyers to make an investment in a market that is more affordable than it's been in years" said Ralph Wetherell, President of the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®.

The tax credit, in its original form, helped to establish more than one million families as new homeowners.

"The homebuyer tax credit has been a critical component to restoring the health of the Charleston real estate market. We've been showing signs of a recovering market since this summer-inventory is decreasing and prices continue to stabilize. Extending this credit, not just in timeframe, but to a new group of homeowners will certainly support the continued re-growth of our area" said Wetherell.

For more info or to look at buying a home in Charleston, South Carolina or Folly Beach, South Carolina, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Search for Charleston homes at CHARLESTON SC HOME SEARCH

James Island - New Listing - Lakefront for $267,500

New Listing on James Island ~~ 825 Harbor View Road - $267,500

5 BD, 3BA, 2300 sq ft, heart-of-pine floors, florida room or 5th bedroom, mother-in-law suite, large backyard & more.

825 front 825 kitchen

Front of Home Large Open Kitchen

825 man cave 825 living

"Man-Cave" Building Formal Living Room

825 pool 825 lakeview

Heated Pool w/ Deck Lakefront Home

For more info on this property, pelase call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. To view all Charleston SC Homes, please go to CHARLESTON SC HOME SEARCH

Wild Dunes Resort - Price Reduction on 3 BD, 2 BA home

Just Reduced to $650,000 ~~ 20 Lake Village Lane ~~ Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, SC

If you are looking looking for turn-key investment property, a second home or a primary residence in Wild Dunes, please make sure you view 20 Lake Village Lane in the Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. This single family home is being sold fully furnished and is an easy walk to the beach and the Grand Pavilion and Village Plaza at Wild Dunes.

20 dining area 20 wild dunes
20 Lake Village Lane - Wild Dunes

3 BD, 2 BA, hardwood floors, fully furnished $650,000

MLS# 2925875, click here for the VISUAL TOUR

For more info on this property, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. To search the Charleston MLS for all homes, please visit SEARCH CHARLESTON MLS

Downtown Charleston SC - Major Price Reductions

Downtown Charleston - Major Price Reductions

41 Coming St - Now Listed at $599,000

The owner has just replaced the kitchen countertops, installed new vanities in both bathrooms, painted the entire inside of the house, installed a new back patio for entertaining and refurbished the original fireplaces with a classic distressed look.

41 Coming front 41 Coming Rear parking

41 Coming Street in Harleston Village 4 BD, 2 BA, 1363 sq. ft.

REDUCED TO $599,000 MLS# 2918638 VISUAL TOUR

Owner will purchase a one year AHS home warranty with the added ServicePlus package to cover HVAC, plumbing, electrical and more for the new owner on both properties. 41 Coming was previously rented for $3000 per month and 6 Percy was $2500 per month. Both are currently vacant and easy to show - just call CSS.

Another Reduction ~~~~ 6 Percy St - Now Listed at $465,000

6 Percy

6 Percy Street in Elliotborough JUST REDUCED to $465,000

MLS# 2916480 5 BD, 3 BA, 2400 sq. ft VISUAL TOUR

Come view this Charleston Single in the Elliotborough neighborhood...built in 1895 and renovated with modern conveniences while still keeping the historic charm of the home. Great rental investment or single family home!

For more info on either of these homes, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Search the entire Charleston MLS for FREE at SEARCH CHARLESTON SC REAL ESTATE

James Island SC - Price Reduction

1416 Swamp Fox Lane - Just Reduced to $265,000

Great James Island location in Jamestowne Village

1416 best front

1416 Swamp Fox Lane - Jamestowne Village

4 BD, 2.5 BA, downstairs master, on the pond $265,000

MLS# 2922813, VISUAL TOUR

1416 pond 1416 living

1416 dining 1416 master

For information on Charleston, South Carolina real estate, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com - search the entire Charleston MLS for free at SEARCH CHARLESTON HOMES

Short Sale & Foreclosure Offers

The short sales and foreclosures listings have become more and more difficult and more and more frustrating for some of my clients. I am recommending a different approach when now making offers - do it without an inspection contingency. Yes, I said WITHOUT an inspection contingent. I am recommending that we get the inspection done before we put in an offer on the home. This way we can find out everything and make one offer and justify where our price is coming from on the home. It also shows the bank that they only have to deal with the one offer price, we will not be coming back for a second round of negotiations regarding what we find in the inspection. This also shows if your buyer is serious or not about the property and can take out a lot of long term headaches for just the price of an inspection.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Charleston, SC area, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email him at rsandin@carolinaone.com Search homes for FREE at http://www.Charlestonpierpartners.com

James Island Open House - Sunday August 2nd, 2-4pm

Come view this recently renovated home in the Woodland Shores area of James Island this Sunday, August 2nd from 2-4pm.

CHECK OUT THIS NEW PRICE OF $239,000 ~~~ Here is your chance to live on the Charleston Municipal Golf Course and be right near downtown Charleston, Folly Beach and just a mile from the public boat landing in Riverland Terrace ~~~ recently renovated home in great condition ~~ roof is only two years old ~~~ beautiful hardwood floors that were just refinished ~~~ ceramic tile in all bathrooms ~~~ two large master suites or turn back into a three bedroom home ~~~ recently painted ~~~ new deck overlooking golf course ~~~ comes with termite bond ~~~ outside storage shed and more

Call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 for more information or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com.

Search all Charleston homes for sale at SEARCH CHARLESTON HOMES

Elliotborough in Downtown Charleston, built in 1895

Price Reduction in Park Circle - North Charleston

This recently renovated home is now ONLY $135,000

Take a look at the visual tour to see what a fine first home or investment property this will make.

5040 N Rhett

5040 N. Rhett - Park Circle $135,000, MLS# 2902332

Click here to see the VISUAL TOUR

This home will be great for the first time buyer or investor! Newer renovations include the front porch and master bathroom were completed in 2006 along with the sunroom and laundry area being just four years old. This home has been a great rental and would make for a wonderful home with its three bedrooms and two full baths.

For more info call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email rsandin@carolinaone.com

Search the entire Charleston MLS for FREE at http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com

Price Reduction in Clearview on James Island

New Listing on Johns Island

June Baseball Schedule - Charleston Riverdogs

If you have not checked out the Riverdogs this year, they are in Charleston for 11 home games in June. Our personal favorite is Family Night on Sunday games- general admission tickets are just $5, game starts at 5:05 so you make it home for bedtime, kids get in for FREE and get a FREE hot dog, chips & soda and FREE parking - how can you beat that deal?

Here is the Riverdogs schedule for June:

6/6, 7:05pm: Baseball Card Trade-Away

6/7, 5:05pm: Family Night 6/8, 7:05pm: Dogs with a Cause

6/9, 7:05pm: Two-for-Tuesday

6/10, 7:05pm: All You Can Eat Night

6/11, 7:05pm: Thirsty Thursday

6/18, 7:05pm: Thristy Thursday

6/19, 7:05pm: Fireworks Night

6/20, 7:05pm: Youth Bat Giveaway

6/21, 5:05pm: Family Night

6/30, 7:05pm: Two-for-Tuesday

For complete details on the above promotions as there were more things going on that we could list here, ticket costs and more, go to RIVERDOGS WEBSITE

FREE Charleston MLS home search - go to SEARCH CHARLESTON SC HOMES

For info on buying or selling real estate in Charleston, SC, please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com

OPEN HOUSE - 6/7/09 on James Island

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, June 7th, 2-4pm

This home was just reduced to $240,000 in the Clearview Neighborhood on James Island Here are some of the home's features:

recently new gas water heater and gas stove

refinished master shower and hall bathrub

lots of cabinet space and multiple built-in units

plenty of room to build onto the home

full 1/2 acre lot with greenhouse

one car garage

seller will buy AHS one year warranty for buyer

. 662 Clearview Drive

662 Clearview Drive - James Island $240,000 - 3 BD, 2BA, one car garage, 1/2 acre lot

Click here for the VISUAL TOUR

For information on information on other James Island or Charleston homes, call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com ~~~ Search the entire Charleston MLS for FREE at CHARLESTON SC HOME SEARCH

James Island - Meridian Place new listing - $188,500

Come see this very clean, extra large end unit, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home at Meridian Place on James Island. Many rooms have been recently painted, has a nice little fenced in yard and is just steps from the community tennis courts. Vacant & easy to show - just call CSS.

1515 front

1515 Blaze Lane, James Island

$188,500, MLS# 2912434

Click here to see the VISUAL TOUR

James Island Listings

1009 Jamsie 662 Clearview Drive

1009 Jamsie Cove Drive 662 Clearview Drive

$275,000 - VISUAL TOUR $240,000 - VISUAL TOUR

403 Carol Front 747 Swanson front

JUST REDUCED Eastwood - New Construction

403 Carol Street 747 Swanson Avenue

$249,500 - VISUAL TOUR $675,000 - VISUAL TOUR

620 front 21 Rivers Point Row

620 Clearview Drive 21 Rivers Point Row, 8F

$275,000 - VISUAL TOUR $112,500 - VISUAL TOUR

Belle Terre Lot

584 Parrot Point Dr.

$615,000 - VISUAL TOUR

Search for Charleston SC at CHARLESTON SC HOMES or Search for Folly Beach Real Estate at FOLLY BEACH CONDOS

Call Randall Sandin today at 843-209-9667 for a FREE relocation package for the area or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com

James Island SC - New Listing in Clearview Neighborhood

If you are looking for a wide open floor plan with plenty of bedrooms and baths, definitely go see 620 Clearview Drive. Check out the visual tour below to really see how open this home lives. It is also just a quick walk to the newly updated Sunrise Park with the new fishing pier and kayak dock. 620 front