Steve Harney, a leading real estate expert, composes one of our favorite real estate blogs, Keeping Current Matters. Follow him here. He says the following:
“Based on prices, mortgage rates and soaring rents, there may have never been a better time in real estate history to purchase a home than right now.”
He lists five major reasons purchasers should consider buying now rather than in the Spring:
1. Supply Is Shrinking
2. Price Increases Are on the Horizon
3. Rents Are Skyrocketing
4. Interest Rates Are Projected to Rise
5. Buy Low, Sell High
Read his full article here.
The Palmetto Heroes Program has lowered its interest rate on their 30 year fixed mortgage loans from 3.75% to 3.25%, as well as offering down payment assistance up to $5,000.
Put your scarf and mittens on and grab a cup of hot chocolate! It is Christmas time in the Lowcountry, and it is time to hit some of our favorite holiday events around town.
Holiday Exhibits at the Nathaniel Russell House and Aiken-Rhett House Museums from 11/23/2012 – 01/06/2013
Historic Charleston Foundation invites guests to enjoy the holidays at the Nathaniel Russell House Museum, 51 Meeting Street, and the Aiken-Rhett House Museum, 48 Elizabeth Street.
At the Nathaniel Russell House Museum, guests will learn about early 19th century holiday gatherings, and for the Russell family, in 1808, that meant religious observances and holiday feasts with friends and relatives. Just as if the family were gathered for a holiday meal, the dining room table will be laden with delightful sugared fruits, syllabubs, cakes, and sweetmeats.
Continue on to the Aiken-Rhett House Museum where you will see the dazzling trimmings of a Victorian Christmas in the Lowcountry. Holiday celebrations at the Aiken-Rhett House date back to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and the budding popularity of decorated trees in America. Christmas was a joyous time for members of the enslaved community as well, and interpretive material will be exhibited in the Aiken-Rhett House outbuildings, where these African Americans both lived and worked.
Hours:
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with the last tour at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, 2 – 5 p.m.
Admission is $10 and a combination ticket to both houses is $16; children under 6 admitted free.
22nd Annual Reindeer Run on December 1
www.reindeerrun.org
The Reindeer Run, presented by Piggly Wiggly and Half-moon Outfitters, is a family-oriented, pet-friendly 5k run/walk through the lower peninsula of downtown Charleston, SC. The event has grown significantly over the years; from only a few hundred participants to record attendance of over 3,200 runners in 2011. Throughout the history of the event, the Charitable Society of Charleston (CSC) has donated over $500,000 to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). In 2011 alone CSC donated $71,000 to the Children’s Hospital.
The funds generated from the Reindeer Run help MUSC develop and maintain a variety of programs in the Children’s Hospital and the Darby Children’s Research Institute, including research in the prevention and treatment of childhood diseases.
Proceeds from the Reindeer Run are split between MUSC Children’s Hospital and the Charitable Society of Charleston. 80% of the funds go to the MUSC Children’s Hospital and 20% go to the Charitable Society of Charleston’s endowment. This endowment provides grants and donations to local non-profit organizations which benefit both children and elderly residents of the Lowcountry
Runners begin at 9:00AM and walkers begin at 9:05AM
Marion Square Tree Lighting on December 1
4:30-6:00
Join Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. and Santa Claus in lighting the magnificent 60-foot Tree of Lights, the official City of Charleston Christmas Tree at Marion Square.
King Street will be closed off for 2 hours directly following the Christmas Tree lighting to allow for sidewalk dining and shopping.
The Charleston Community Band will be playing.
Charleston Boat Parade on December 1
Parade begins along Mt.Pleasant at 5:30pm, Viewing from the peninsula begins at 6:30pm; Fireworks begin at approximately 6:45pm
You may participate in the parade by simply registering with the city, decorating your boat from stem to stern with lights, and joining us on the water. Thousands of spectators view the parade along the route from Mt. Pleasant to Charleston each year.
The parade begins at approximately 5:30PM near the Mt. Pleasant side and ends in the Ashley River, (after processing down the Charleston side of the Cooper River), at approximately 8:00PM.
Charleston Christmas Parade on December 2
The holiday tradition is better than ever as bands, floats, marchers and performers parade through downtown Charleston. The parade begins at the intersection of Calhoun and Meeting Streets, and then proceeds down King Street to Broad Street to Lockwood Blvd.
Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade on December 9
More than 100 floats will march down Coleman Boulevard as the Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade sets sail to the delight of thousands of residents and visitors. The tree lighting and fireworks display will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Moultrie Middle School, immediately followed by the parade beginning at 5:45 p.m. The parade starts at the intersection of Coleman Boulevard and Pelzer Drive, then continues past Shem Creek to conclude at the Sea Island Shopping Center around 7:15 p.m.
Charleston Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops on December 14/15
www.charlestonsymphony.org
Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street, 7:30 pm
The Nutcracker
http://www.charlestonballet.com/#!home/mainPage
North Charleston Performing Arts Center
5001 Coliseum Drive North Charleston
An enchanted Nutcracker doll magically comes to life to battle the Rat King and his band of mice and to protect his beloved, 1865 Charlestonian Marie Lowndes. A wonderful ballet for the entire family, The Nutcracker is the perfect way to ring in the holiday season and to introduce young children to the power and beauty of classical ballet.Sponsored by BOEING
12/15/2012 @ 2:00 PM
12/15/2012 @ 7:30PM
12/16/2012 @ 3:00PM
Gingerbread House Workshop on December 16
The Inn at Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River Rd., 1-5 p.m.
All ages welcome! Bring the kids out to The Inn at Middleton Place and take part in a Gingerbread House Workshop. All materials will be provided for you to take home a tasty Christmas treat and decoration. There may even be a visit from Santa! Cost is $18 for adults with purchase of house, $10 without; $12 for children 3-16 with purchase of house, $5 without. Kids under 3 are free! Refreshments offered.
Three independent non profits who study real estate trends have recently upwardly revised their predictions of where home prices are headed in the future. How does the Charleston region compare to nationwide? We are up 5.5% in average sales price in 2012, according to the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.
The Charleston Regional Business Journal released their
weekly “10 Ways to Play” list, so you don’t have to do any of
the thinking, only the playing….
Halloween Happenings
We won’t take responsibility should you be scared to death. We will, however, happily split any prize money from costume contests.
- House of Terror: 7-10 p.m. through Tuesday at St. Julian Devine Community Center
- Halloween at O-Ku: 10 p.m. Friday at 463-A King St. in Charleston
- Halloween at Taco Boy: 2 p.m. Saturday for costume contest (dogs too) and party at 6 p.m.
- Skinful Halloween: 7 p.m. Saturday at the Brick House Kitchen, 1575 Folly Road
- Fall Fun House: 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
Coastal Carolina Fair
We’ve tried deep-fried Coke, deep-fried Twinkies and deep-fried Oreos — what will be the deep-fried delicacy this year? We’re gonna guess snails, but we don’t speak French, so what do we know?
WHO: Coastal Carolina Fair
WHEN: Starts at 3 p.m. today and runs all kinds of times through Nov. 4
WHERE: Exchange Park in Ladson
Art Uncorked
Sally Tharp paints everyday objects on a very large scale. So does that mean that dog’s nose is 3 feet tall? That’s a lot of cold, wet puppy love. Feel the love and then grab a bite at the Jasmine Porch.
WHO: Sally Tharp
WHEN: 5-6:30 p.m. today
WHERE: Wells Gallery at The Sanctuary Resort on Kiawah Island
A Steady Rain
Sometimes police officers’ credo of “to serve and protect” doesn’t pass the muster of human frailty. A storm is brewing, and one man will have to make the ultimate sacrifice. Relax — it’s just on stage.
WHO: South of Broadway Theatre Co.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday
WHERE: 1080 E. Montague Ave. in North Charleston
From Bach to Broadway
The Summerville Community Orchestra kicks off its 10th season with the sounds of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue, Swan Lake, Les Mis, Wicked, Big Bands, The Marriage of Figaro and Thais.
WHO: Summerville Community Orchestra
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today and Friday
WHERE: Northwood Baptist Church and Summerville Baptist Church
Elemental Skills
Since we all know the zombie apocalypse is coming, it’d be good to have basic survival skills. Like fire, making flint arrowheads and shooting a handmade bow, and making a courting flute. We did say survival.
WHO: College of Charleston Archaeology Club
WHEN: Today through Saturday
WHERE: College of Charleston and Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul
Comedy on the Creek
Local comedians have been cracking jokes all month and it comes down to the wire this week. The finalists will compete for a chance to take home $2,000. That’s some serious cash. No jokin’.
WHO: Finalist comedians
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Red’s Ice House, 98 Church St. in Mount Pleasant
Nevermore
Quoth the Weekend… Yes, we are aware that was lame and obvious. And we’re guessing you already knew that Edgar Allan Poe used to hang out on Sullivan’s Island. Aren’t you just smarter than the average bird?
WHO: Charleston Stage
WHEN: Runs through Nov. 4
WHERE: Dock Street Theatre
Night of the Living Roller Girls
Our wheeled warriors are battling for national ranking. The Highrollers take on Poe’s Punishers from Virginia, and we definitely have to take them out, because we’ve already got the market on Poe. (see below)
WHO: Lowcountry Highrollers
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St. in Charleston
A Matter of Taste: Serving up Paul Liebrandt
Paul Liebrandt is a talented chef with some crazy ideas. Ever tried eel, violets and chocolate? Not all together, though, right? That was his idea. How about espuma of calf brains and foie gras? Us either.
WHO: The Halsey Institute
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHERE: Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. in Charleston
Coming soon:
- Pierrot Lunaire: 5 p.m. Monday at Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. in Charleston. Performance by the College of Charleston’s Department of Music.
- Bach: Father & Son: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Dock Street Theatre. Charleston Symphony Orchestra concert.
- The Home Team Album Showcase: 8 p.m. Wednesday at Home Team, 2209 Middle St. on Sullivan’s Island. Guilt Ridden Troubadour will perform the music of Bob Dylan.
- The Fur Ball: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Blvd. in Charleston. A benefit for Pet Helpers.
- Charleston Fine Art Annual: Nov. 2-4 including gallery art openings, plein air painting, print fair at the Gibbes Museum of Art, gala receptions, silent auction and lectures.
- MUSC Health and Wellness Community Day: 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 3 at MUSC Health East Cooper, 1600 Midtown Ave. in Mount Pleasant.
- Super Scary SUP Race: Moved to Nov. 3 because of threat of Hurricane Sandy.
- Log Cabin Fused Glass Workshop: 12:15 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Charleston Museum and at Blue Heron Glass in West Ashley.
- Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra: 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. in Charleston.
- James Island Connector Run/Walk/Bike: 8 a.m. Nov. 3, benefiting the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation.
- Harvest Fest: Bluegrass, Beverages and BBQ Cookoff: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island.
- Fall Harvest Dinner: Nov. 4 at Legare Farms on Johns Island.
- We Will Never Forget: A Tribute to Our Veterans: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.
- Guerrilla Cuisine Dinner: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 on Folly Beach. Chef Anthony DiBernardo of Rita’s Seaside Grille and Cast Iron Catering will be cooking.
- Smoke on the Harbor Barbeque Throwdown: Nov. 16-18 at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina.
- Shrek the Musical: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 and 2 p.m. Nov. 24 at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.