So
far, home sales are up 29%. Another article in today's business
section of the Post & Courier states "On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve said it planned to keep
interest rates ultra-low for two more years. " This is a buyers market!
Read the article about the Dow's plunge: http://www.postandcourier.com/​news/2011/aug/11/down-again/
Click here to link to the article about current home sales

 This article has some great neighborhood information.  Don't forget downtown though!  We know of some great houses and condos on the peninsula for under $200K.

 
Have you seen this car around town?  If so, smile!  You may be on Google Street View camera.  While 
we have no information to substantiate what  this California based car may be doing around town, we can only guess it is updating the 2008 Google Map photos of our Charleston properties.

The disco ball looking apparatus attached to the top of the car is actually nine directional cameras that take 360 degree views at a height of 8.2 feet.  This google map technology that launched in May of 2007 and included many United States streets by the end of 2008 has successful expanded internationally to many of the worlds streets and must be back for a second round of updated photos.  Learn more about goole street cars, trikes, and even snowmobiles on wikipedia.  
 

As you read through the current issue of GQ magazine take a look at the feature article that lists Charleston, SC as one of their favorite U.S. smallest cities.  I must say, GQ has excellent taste!

Read the article here

Thank
you Mayor Riley for your efforts to catch the firebug(s) who continues
to set homes ablaze in the city. In case you missed it, there was
coverage in today's Post & Courier. Be sure to read the last couple
paragraphs.
 Read the article here

 This is a great video of the history of the Jenkins Orphanage and it's role in the Jazz craze of the 1920's.  Watch it here.

 

Read the article on these very different homes here.
Have you ever been in or seen an unusual home such as the ones in this article?
Please share your stories.

A recent report released by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors comparing home sales and their prices of each month to date of 2011 against the same month of 2010 shows overall higher volume and median prices of homes sales despite the first time home buyers credit offered in 2010.  While 2010 seemed to show more purchases by first time home buyers due to the stimulus, in the absence of the government program 2011 has welcomed repeat, move-up, and second home buyers, which is the sign of a stable and healthy Charleston real estate market.  Read the full article HERE. 

This is a particularly good read if you or someone you know is or soon will be in the market for a loan to buy a home or refinance.  It goes over required services in connection with getting a loan and the limits for how much these services may be as a charge to the borrower.
Read the article here and get prepared!