The second quarter figures for Downtown Charleston in the area inside the Crosstown reflect the current trend in the housing market. The statistics spanning April to June of 2008 show an increase from the first quarter in certain areas, and will be compared to the quarter preceding as well as the same quarter of the previous year. As the number of sold properties increases in the second quarter, the number of listed properties begins to decrease and listing prices begin to climb.

As the market continues to change, we notice that the second quarter of 2008 leads in number of sold properties in relation to the first quarter. The sold price in relation to the asking price remains a constant 94% during the 2nd quarter of 2007 as well as 2008. South of Broad continues to sustain an average return of 94% of the asking price despite lower listing prices from 2007 to 2008. Please click here for the full report.

Note: The second quarter for 2007 had an average price per square foot of $1,011 which is abnormally high. This is because in June 2007 four houses inside the Crosstown sold between $3,955,000 and $7,200,000 which increased the price per square foot for the entire area. In the second quarter for 2008 no houses sold for over $3,200,000.

With great anticipation, Apple has graced King Street in Downtown Charleston, SC. This is the first and only Apple store in South Carolina thus far. If you wanted to experience this streamlined shopping center you had to either venture down to Atlanta, GA or Charlotte, NC. I visited our store at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, July 26, 2008. It is very exciting to see that Apple has entered the building on 301 King Street. For appointments at the Genius Bar or to take a class at the Apple Store visit: click here

Russ Bratcher

Great article in the August issue about Charleston, entitled Southern Comfort, click here . We all know that our home is truly about comfort!

Happy days of summer!

I recently received my EcoBroker certification. The EcoBroker program is an international education and certification program for Real Estate professionals who care about the environment and want to promote energy-efficient and “green” features in home and buildings.

National Surveys show that 80% of consumers consider themselves “green-minded”. I am always looking for the best ways to offer my clients the best value. It is imperative that we begin thinking about changing the ways we impact our environment. The EcoBroker designation does not make me an energy or environmental expert but it allows me to understand the issues and convey this understanding to my buyers and sellers.

Last night my cousin, Lindsay, and I ate at Alluette’s Cafe on Reid Street. We read the review in the City Paper the night before and knew we had to check it out ASAP. The review stated that Alluette’s is a NO PORK CAFE. Very exciting for vegetarians like ourselves. The vegetables are local and organic certified. They also have local shrimp and fish. We got a “to go” order of the shrimp for Lindsay’s grandmother, aka Aunt Mary. She loved it! The sweet tea, by coincidence called Aunt Mary’s tea was great…..however, Alluette will be getting her license to serve wine soon, naturally it will be organic. Great location between King and Meeting on Reid Street.

More good news for residents in Elliottborough and the East Side neighborhoods.

Chef Ken Vedrinski, head chef of Sienna, will be opening a new Italian restaurant at 41 Bogard St, pending all appropriate permits, zoning, and aprrovals.
According to the Post and Courier, “the style will be simple, the ambience casual. Sunday will be a family-style meal. This is very exciting for this up and coming neighborhood, which has already seen the opening of d’Allesandro’s on the corner of Bogard and St. Philip. streets. Lane and Smythe currently has 2 listings right around the corner from 41 Bogard at 12 Percy and 24 Ashe.

Stay updated on new development north of Calhoun in the area now known as Midtown. The article in the Post and Courier on March 4th pertains to the new mixed use development planned between King and Meeting, just south of Spring Street. This photo shows the west side of the block or the “across the street neighbors”. The height of the proposed development is approximately 100 feet.

Lots going on in Cannonborough/Elliotborough. The neighborhood association is working with the city to reverse one way traffic on Spring and on Cannon to two way. For details go to www.elliotborough.org.

Also, great article in the City Paper a couple of weeks ago about EarthForce, a local student volunteer group, preparing the Line Street site for a downtown green space. More information go here.

While I was in the neighborhood on Saturday I stopped by Sugar, a great new bakery on Cannon close by the Cannon Street Y. We love supporting local businesses!