What's Happening in Charleston? Events and Activities for May, 2018

Sat, Apr 28th 2018 12:00 pm by Alan Donald Events

May is here and that means it's finally beach weather. We are looking forward to celebrating our mothers on Mother's Day, Memorial Day weekend, and fun events like the 2-week Spoleto Festival, the Annual Dragon Boat Festival and much more...

Here is your May calendar of events:

2-6: City of North Charleston’s Arts Festival

2: Wine Down Wednesday, Old Town Creek Park

3: Little Big Town, North Charleston Coliseum

3: Steve Earle, Charleston Music Hall

4: Art Walk, Downtown Charleston

4: Yanni, North Charleston PAC

4: Trae Crowder - the Liberal Redneck, Charleston Music Hall

5: 11th Annual Dragon Boat Festival, Ashley River

5: Lowcountry Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet, Mc...




Mount Pleasant Approves Largest Plastic Bag and Foam Container Ban in State

Sat, Apr 28th 2018 10:08 am by Alan Donald Newsletters

The Post and Courier writes, "MOUNT PLEASANT — South Carolina's fourth-largest city has decided to prohibit most single-use plastic bags, foam food containers and more, setting up a potential showdown with state lawmakers.

Plastic Bag BanThe town's regulations would change the way more than 85,000 people shop, take home leftovers, and even keep their drinks cold. Businesses that rely on foam food packaging and single-use plastic bags would have to switch, and some have warned that packaging cost increases would be passed along.

That is, unless the state Legislature prohibits such local bans, retroactive to Jan. 31, as the House has already voted to do. Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Surfside Beach and Hi...




How Much Do You Need to Make to Buy a Home in Your State?

Thu, Apr 19th 2018 9:33 am by Alan Donald Buyers

How Much Do You Need to Make to Buy a Home in Your State?

It’s no mystery that cost of living varies drastically depending on where you live, so a new study by GOBankingRates set out to find out what minimum salary you would need to make in order to buy a median-priced home in each of the 50 states, and Washington, D.C.

States in the Midwest came out on top as most affordable, requiring the smallest salaries in order to buy a median-priced home. States with large metropolitan areas saw a bump in the average salary needed to buy with California, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii edging out all others with the highest salaries required.

Below is a map with the full results of the study:

How Much You Need to Make

Go...




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24 Tiny Bathroom Ideas That Are Big On Storage And Style

Tue, Apr 17th 2018 11:56 am by Alan Donald Alans Listings

As anyone who has ever purchased an older home knows, small bathroom spaces come with their own unique set of challenges. First is storage. There are a lot of things that need to be stored and used in a bathroom. Second is style. You want your space, though small, to seem bright and airy. So how do you make sure you've got the storage you need, while also having the style you crave? Here are 24 great tips to make that tiny space seem larger-than-life, and store everything you need at your fingertips!

1. Easy on the clutter.

The quickest way to have your small space seem smaller is to have a lot of clutter hanging around. One or two personal pieces is the limit, and place them on a decor...




5 Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Warmer Weather

Thu, Apr 12th 2018 9:49 am by Alan Donald Alans Listings

Spring is in full swing, and you know what that means: the days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and in just a few short weeks we'll be heading into the warmer months of summer. Summer is one of the best times of year; children are out of school, it's the perfect time to explore the great outdoors, and of course, everyone's favorite: good ol' summer vacation. After the freezing temperatures of winter and the unpredictability of spring, you and your family are probably more than ready for the warm, summer weather. But the question is: is your home? Here are 5 tips to get your home ready for warmer weather:

1. Get your A/C checked

The summer heat is great for beach days ...




Coming Soon! Well Priced Dunes West Home on 1+ Acre Lot

Tue, Apr 3rd 2018 7:36 pm by Alan Donald Alans Listings

Check this home out:

Call us today to let you in as soon as it is listed! 843-900-0155

#MountPleasantHomes #Luxury #DiamondInTheRough #PreMarketingWorks




How Zillow ® Cheats on Their ZEstimates ®

Sun, Apr 1st 2018 3:57 pm by Alan Donald Real Estate

A few of us had suspected that Zillow® conveniently changes its "Zestimates®" of value based on MLS activity, instead of trusting their own algorithm. Now we are pretty convinced that this is the case. 

We put this theory to the test: A few days BEFORE we listed this townhome in Crowfield Plantation we took a screenshot of the Zestimate® ($139,8180). [Click to enlarge image]. 

Prelisting ZEstimate of 15 Rudwick Cir

A few days AFTER we put it on the market in MLS (at a list price of $135,000), we went back and checked. Oh surprise! The Zestimate® miraculously came down to $128,558 in 16 days (in a "seller's market")!

Zestimate of 15 Rudwick Cir Post Listing
They know it is very probable that the seller ends up negotiating down from the list pr...



What's Happening in Charleston? Events and Activities for April, 2018

Fri, Mar 30th 2018 8:10 am by Alan Donald Newsletters
April perfectly depicts why Charleston has been voted #1 Best City in the US and #2 Best City in the World by Travel and Leisure Magazine. This month has perfect weather, blooming flowers, and awesome events that all add to the Charleston charm. There are some very large and popular events happening this month, like the Cooper River Bridge Run and Volvo Car Open along with great outdoor events like movies on the roof and dancing on the Mount Pleasant Pier. Check them all out!
(PC:@Cooperriverbridgerun)

1-8: Volvo Car Open WTA women’s tennis tournament, Daniel Island
4: Shakespeare In Love, Dock Street Theater (Various Dates)
5-8: Masters Golf Tournament, Augusta GA
6: Jimmy Buffett...



Boeing Delivers World’s First 787-10 Dreamliner to Singapore Airlines

Fri, Mar 30th 2018 8:00 am by Alan Donald Boeing

 The article from Low Country Biz Wire writes, "Boeing and Singapore Airlines celebrated the delivery of the first 787-10 airplane, the newest and largest member of the Dreamliner family and a jet that will set a new global standard for fuel efficiency.

About 3,000 people marked the milestone at Boeing’s facility in North Charleston, South Carolina where the latest 787 model is manufactured.
Like the other 787 Dreamliners, the 787-10 is designed with strong, lightweight composites, the most advanced systems, and comfortable cabin features. The 787-10, though, features a longer fuselage which allows it to carry about 40 more passengers or a total of 330 seats in a standard two-class co...



62 Saturday Road 3D Tour

Mon, Mar 26th 2018 10:23 am by Alan Donald Alans Listings

62 Saturday Road is a beautiful home that is tucked away in the prestigious I'On neighborhood. This 4 bd. 3.5 ba. home features updates throughout, master down, and a long driveway with a two-car garage. Take a look for yourself and get to know this great property as you take the 3D Tour. 

Learn more about 62 Saturday Road by CLICKING HERE.




More Than Just a House- 1579 Paradise Lake Drive

Thu, Mar 22nd 2018 12:00 pm by Alan Donald Alans Listings

1579 Paradise Lake Dr. is a beautiful 3 bedroom 3.5 bath home that's located in central Mount Pleasant. This great home features open concept living, a gourmet kitchen, lakefront views and great storage space. Another great feature of this home is that it is energy efficient!  It has a tankless hot water heater, Platinum level energy rating, and a $30,000 solar panel system that produces a positive cash flow! 

The sellers favorite part of their home was the spacious rooms and open concept living, which was important for their family's lifestyle. The screened in porch and backyard space was also perfect for relaxing on sunny Charleston days, listening to the birds and tending to their...




12 Must-Do Home Maintenance Tips For Spring

Tue, Mar 20th 2018 10:00 am by Alan Donald Real Estate

Ah, spring! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the windows are finally open! Now is definitely the time to take a realistic look at your home’s exterior (and all that goes with it), and do the necessary cleaning, or make repairs or replacements. Winter can be harsh, but springtime is all about renewal!

1. Roof and shingles

Winter storms, snow, and wind can take a toll on your roof shingles, and the summer sun doesn’t do your roof any favors, either. If you can, get up on a ladder and really take a good look at the condition of your shingles. Are they loose? Do you see any cracks or wearing? If so, you may want to begin to budget for a replacement roof by next winter. While...




Homes With Pools in Mount Pleasant

Wed, Mar 14th 2018 1:40 pm by Alan Donald Charleston Real Estate
With the Charleston heat on the way, there's nothing better than having a beautiful pool to enjoy privately!
According to the Charleston MLS, only about 5% of detached homes that were on the market in the past year had an in-ground or elevated pool. In Mount Pleasant, only about 6% of homes on the market had a pool.
Homes with pools do not come in abundance in this Charleston area, thus owning a home with a pool can give you something to boast about!
Check out these beautiful homes with pools available right now in Mount Pleasant!

  1233 Hidden Lakes Dr.

 2070 Country Manor Dr. 
2072 Willbrook Lane 
2208 Salt Wind Way 
2729 Oak Manor Dr. 
1962 Sandy Pointe Lane 

If interested...




The Difference One Hour Will Make This Sunday

Fri, Mar 9th 2018 10:39 am by Alan Donald Real Estate

The Difference an Hour Will Make This Spring 

  • The Difference an Hour Makes
    Some Highlights:
  • Don’t forget to set your clocks forward this Sunday, March 11th at 2:00 AM EST in observance of Daylight Saving Time.
    Unless of course, you are a resident of Arizona or Hawaii!
  • Every hour in the United States: 614 homes are sold, 81 homes regain equity (meaning they are no longer underwater on their mortgage), and the median home price rises $1.51!




Cryptocurrencies and Real Estate

Thu, Mar 1st 2018 10:00 am by Alan Donald New Technology

Cryptocurrencies & Real Estate Investing

<watch this video first>

Click HERE to explore investing in Charleston Real Estate.

It sounds like an imaginary tale, but it could be a very exciting prospect. Let me explain exactly what's going on.

In case you don't know, cryptocurrencies (digital money) are very much like regular money, in that you can use them to pay for many things. A cryptocurrency is a digital asset that uses a new technology called BLOCKCHAIN to generate the currency and ensure security. Think of it as a VIRTUAL MINT.

The best-known cryptocurrency right now is Bitcoin. You can use Bitcoin to buy items online, or even to withdraw actual (paper) dollars from a number...




Charleston ranked #1 City in America for Economic Opportunity by Yelp

Wed, Feb 28th 2018 10:05 am by Alan Donald Newsletters

Yelp’s Local Economic Outlook: American Diners Show Increasing Taste for Independent Restaurants Nationwide


The Yelp Article from the Yelp Official Blog by Carl Bialik, Data Editor writes, "Today we’re releasing the second edition of Yelp’s Local Economic Outlook, a program to rank U.S. metro areas by the pace of growth in their local-business population. This program is part of a larger, ongoing project surfacing insights from Yelp’s deep data stores to help businesses succeed and to arm policymakers with the information they need to make effective change that can boost local economies. 

The State of Restaurants in America
In an effort to look more closely at the health of the restauran...




What's Happening in Charleston? Events and Activities for March, 2018

Wed, Feb 28th 2018 10:00 am by Alan Donald Newsletters

Spring is coming up and we happily welcome the great weather and blooming flowers. March will bring warmer weather and longer days with Daylight Savings Time, which means more outside activities.

We are excited about the Food and Wine Festival continuing through March 4, St. Patrick’s Day, the last of the Oyster Roasts until fall, The Volvo Cup Tennis Open and some cool music performances happening throughout the month. 

1-4: Charleston Food and Wine Festival Continues

1: When We Were Kings, Chas Music Hall
1: Owls at Midnight: Center for Prey
2: Artwalk, downtown
3: Front Beach Fest, IOP
3: Darren Knight, Chas Music Hall
3-6: Colonial Athletic Association Basketball Champions...



3 Common Fears Of First Time Home-Buyers… And How To Overcome Them

Tue, Feb 20th 2018 2:03 pm by Alan Donald Buyers

Buying your first home can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. But it can also be one of the scariest. Buying real estate is a complicated process. And if you've never purchased a home before, the fear of all those unknown variables can make the experience stressful, frustrating, and downright terrifying. If you're thinking about purchasing a home but are dealing with the fear that comes along with it, don't worry! You're not alone. Most first time home-buyers deal with a certain level of fear as they get ready to buy their first home. But that fear doesn't have to hold you back. Here are three of the most common fears of first time home-buyers (and how you can overcome ...




More Than Just a House- 62 Saturday Rd.

Mon, Feb 19th 2018 10:00 am by Alan Donald Charleston Real Estate

NEW LISTING in the beautiful and sought after Mount Pleasant neighborhood of I'On. This 4 bd. 3.5 ba. home is tucked away from the noise and activities by I'On Creek Club at 62 Saturday Road. 

This home is more than just somewhere to sleep at night. It provides somewhere to rest and relax, a large enough space to raise a family or have the family over, and is located in a neighborhood that embraces the charm and hospitality that Charleston is all about. 

The interior of the home features updates throughout such as painted white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a semi-open concept living that's perfect for entertaining and having open sight lines to the rest of the family sp...




COMING SOON- The Gadsden Downtown Charleston

Fri, Feb 16th 2018 2:00 pm by Alan Donald Charleston Real Estate

Listings for The Gadsden luxury condominiums in Downtown Charleston just went live on the MLS yesterday, February 15th! This condo will have 76 residences available with 1, 2, or 3 bedroom floor plans; some of these residences will feature a park view or a city view. The design of the condo incorporates a warm welcoming feel alongside modern updates such as new stainless steel appliances, oversized ceilings, and modern artistic touches throughout. 

Not only will The Gadsden be centrally located with close proximity to the new Gadsdenboro Park, but to all the great Downtown Charleston restaurants and activities. When not exploring the various activities that are at your fingertips, The ...




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