Ahhh…spring is in the air, flowers are blooming, the weather is nicer and the faint sounds of lawn mowers are filling the neighborhood. We all associate the spring season with renewal and that means change is on the horizon for many families as they are looking to move. The springtime is typically one of the best periods to find homes for sale in South Carolina because prospective homebuyers no longer have to traverse through winter weather and sellers can finally take advantage of the nicer conditions to prep their home for sale. However, the springtime may also be the starting point of a more stressful home hunt because you won't be the only one looking for new digs and that means the competition will rise and the inventory will quickly disappear.

If you are shopping for a new home in a seller's market, which is quite common during the spring season, there are a few things you need to get a handle on in order to survive! But, how do you know if you're shopping in a seller's market? Well, we know that the market varies from place to place, however, keep an eye out for these two red flags:

• Homes listed on the market are selling higher than their asking price
• Houses are selling very quickly and the inventory isn't keeping up with demand

According to some national statistics, the general consensus is that the market is starting to favor sellers instead of buyers. For instance, homes listed for sale in March were moving 16% faster off the market compared to last year. Properties stayed on the market for only 75 days in March, which is 19 days faster compared to February. Additionally, the median list price of $238,000 is 8.2% higher than last year and 2.6% higher than last month! As home prices creep up and majority of the inventory starts to fly off the market, you need to check out these tips to survive a seller's market.

Make It A Priority

You know that the old saying the early bird gets the worm? Well, it definitely applies to home hunting during a seller's market! To prove yourself successful in scoring the home you want, you need to make house hunting your number one priority – not something you just fit in here and there on the weekends. Treat the home hunting process like you were looking for a job – search real estate listings regularly, view homes at the earliest convenience of the seller and follow up immediately if you think it's a fit.  

Get Prequalified or Preapproved

Money walks and talk is cheap, especially in a seller's market. If you want to be taken seriously as a prospective homebuyer, than you need to get all your paperwork and finances ready to go. Having a prequalification or preapproval letter can show the seller you can put your money where your mouth is and shows them evidence you are ready to play ball.

Consider The Contingencies

It's quite common for a prospective homebuyer to have a few contingencies with their offer. For example, they will purchase the home if the inspection goes well or if the appraisal squares up. However, in a seller's market, you might make the consideration to drop some of those considerations. While it may be a little risky, sellers are looking for the offers that have fewer hurdles to jump to get to closing faster.

Go In With Your Best

There is very little room for negotiation during a seller's market because there are so many other buyers around willing to pay listing price or more for a home. With that in mind, you may need to put all your cards in on your first offer to snag the home you want. You could certainly start by offering the asking price the first time around, but be prepared to fork over a little more over asking if multiple bids have already taken place. Just keep in mind that you don't want to blow your budget, so make a strong offer but always put your financial stability first.

Expand Your Search

It can be challenging to find the perfect home at a price you can afford in your desired neighborhood but don’t let that stop you from moving. If you are focusing on one specific location, you could be making the home hunt harder than it has to be, so you should be willing to expand your search to nearby areas. Perhaps there's some great deals in another neighborhood or down the street. Don't be afraid to re-draw your search outside of the original area you were looking in.

Use A Realtor

Last but not least, use a realtor during the home hunt! Realtors can provide you with homes for sale in South Carolina that you may have not found on your own and they often have great insight and advice about the market. Connect with a realtor from the Carolina One Real Estate by calling (843) 202-2000 today! 

Are you a fan of sweet tea? Most historians agree that sweet tea was started in South Carolina and, specifically, in the Charleston area. According to primary accounts, a French botanist and explorer, Andre Michaux, came to South Carolina in the late 1700s with tea leaves and other vegetation to appeal to the Charleston aristocracy. He planted tea leaves just northwest of Charleston, and started a tradition of tea-drinking that still exists today in the Lowcountry.

There's no question that residents of South Carolina love their tea. What makes them differ from others in the United States who enjoy a tall glass of iced tea is how they prepare it. While some may enjoy their black iced tea unsweetened, residents of South Carolina enjoy their iced tea with a little sugar in it. In fact, South Carolinians love their sweet tea so much, they officially adopted it as its Official Hospitality Beverage.

Where Can You Find the Largest Sweet Tea in the World?

South Carolina residents may drink sweet tea by the gallon, but there is one small town in South Carolina where residents can say that their sweet tea is record-breaking. The town of Summerville, a small Tree City USA town that sits a few minutes outside of the Charleston city limits, will attempt to break the record of making the largest amount of sweet tea in one glass. In order to break the record, residents hope to make a 2500 gallon single glass of sweet tea.

Obviously this amount of sweet tea can't be produced in anyone's kitchen and will require a little more creativity. According to the organizers of the Summerville event, the tea will be made using natural gas, local tea from the Charleston Tea Plantation, and sugar from Dixie Crystals. A representative from the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand to hopefully verify and present the record. The event will take place on June 10, 2016.

Enjoy the Best Sweet Tea in South Carolina Year-round

There's one thing you can bet on: if you visit Summerville, you're going to be treated to a glass of iced sweet tea with a lemon or orange slice garnish from a friendly face during your stay. If you are considering moving to the area to take advantage of the beautiful weather, emerging business development, and wonderful heritage, there are few better places than the town of Summerville. Summerville is a place where you can raise a family or grow old, and you're sure to accompany most days with a glass or two of sweet tea.

If you're thinking about making Summerville your home, check out our listings of Summerville homes for sale to find a home that meets your budget and requirement. We pride ourselves in matching prospective homebuyers with homes that they can see themselves staying in for a while. Our agents are happy to discuss your needs and help you find a Summerville home that you'll love. Contact us today to get the conversation started. And if you're looking for a good sweet tea recipe, here's a tasty one from WhatsCookingAmerica.net.

Millennials are quickly becoming the fastest growing percentage of home buyers in the country and make up the majority of first-time home buyers. As the oldest Millennials begin to reach their thirties and higher levels of career responsibilities and salary, many will begin to settle down and begin to look at homes. Some will look at the Charleston area for its beautiful weather, friendly communities, and emerging job markets that match Millennials' technology-focused skillset and education.

Our younger generation of first-time homebuyers can take advantage of a buyer-friendly market where mortgage interest rates are still low and there are friendly programs for first-time homebuyers. However, they also face unique challenges than other generations of homebuyers that may require a little more flexibility, creativity, and patience. In the end, though, the time you take to research and understand what it takes to apply and get approved for a mortgage loan will help you get one step closer to buying that first home of your dreams in Charleston, SC.

Understanding How Much You Can Afford for a Monthly Mortgage Payment

If you begin the process of applying for a mortgage, you will get a quote from various lenders that pertain to how much you're pre-qualified for. Just remember this is different from the amount of money you're pre-approved for. The pre-approval process involves a number of additional steps, including income verification, credit history, etc. You may be pre-qualified for a certain amount, but can you afford that monthly payment every month?

Getting Your Debt to Income Ratio as Low as Possible

Let's say you apply for a $200,000 mortgage where the monthly mortgage payment with property taxes, interest, principal, home owner's insurance is $1500 a month. If you make $8000 a month as a household, your debt to income ratio will only be 19%. But what if you have other monthly payments? For example, many Millennials have student loans. Those go into your debt to income ratio. Do you have credit card payments or car payments? Those affect your debt to income ratio as well. The goal is to get below 43% to provide assurance to the bank that you will be able to afford your monthly mortgage payment.

Reviewing Your Credit Score

The credit score you need to qualify for a mortgage loan may depend on the type of mortgage loan you're applying for. For example, a conventional mortgage loan from a bank will typically have stricter credit limits than an FHA or USDA loan. At the same time, a FHA loan or USDA loan that is guaranteed by the federal government may have other requirements not necessary for a conventional loan. Therefore, it is a good idea to check out the different types of loans out there and any credit requirements.

No matter the type of loan you apply for, though, remember to get a copy of credit report to dispute any errors or safeguard against identity theft. In addition to that, you can understand if you need to lower your credit utilization or take any other actions to raise your credit score to an acceptable level that will allow you to get approved for a mortgage loan at a good rate. As Millennials take advantage of good home prices in the Charleston, SC real estate market with affordable rates, managing these common mortgage issues will go a long way in helping them get through the process. 

Are you thinking about taking a summer vacation the whole family can enjoy? There will be a number of factors that will go into your decision-making. You'll have to consider budget, how you want to travel, the time of the season you can go, and your only personal interests. Any parent will tell you that finding something to do for the entire family can be difficult, especially if the kids are a little bit older. Luckily, if you've always thought about visiting the Lowcountry, Isle of Palms offers a wide variety of activities the whole family can enjoy.

If you have never visited Isle of Palms before, please know that it is only 12 miles away from downtown Charleston, SC. A short drive will take you to the heart of the Palmetto City where you can experience world-class restaurants, historic attractions, shopping for the whole family, sports, the harbor, and more. But that is only one part about what makes Isle of Palms so great. There are plenty of things to do on the barrier island as well.

Eco-tours

Barrier Islands Eco Tours was the number one listed attraction on Trip Advisor as reviewers thought that the captain and guide were both incredibly knowledgeable and they got to see wildlife and vegetation that they wouldn't otherwise see on the barrier islands. There are a number of other charters available too depending on your interests and what you would like to see. If you or your children are into the outdoors and you don't get seasick, an eco-tour could be a fun day out the whole family can take part in.

Thomson Park

Take an afternoon ride to Thomson Park in the Breach Inlet, which offers a fun, but quiet adventure. Did you know that Thomson Park was the site of a Revolutionary War battle? Although the water is not safe for swimming, you can go a walk with the family, go fishing, or just take in some sun. The Breach Inlet is located between Isle of Palms and Sullivan Island. Isle of Palms County Park is another place to check out if you would like to get some time in outdoors.

Paddle Boarding, Wave Sports, and More

Are you a fan of water-based activities like paddle boarding, parasailing, jet-skis, and more? There are a number of companies in the Isle of Palms area that offer affordable lessons and equipment rentals to ensure you get your rush on the water. If you have ever wanted to jet-ski on the marshes or intercoastal, you can do it here in Isle of Palms, SC.

Check out Isle of Palms rentals today at CarolineOneRealEstate.com. We offer beautiful vacation rentals at a variety of budget levels, and we can help you find the best rental for your dream vacation in Isle of Palms. Don't wait. Summer will be here before you know it. Count down today by searching our vacation rental listings today.

Each year, Travel + Leisure creates a list of the world's best cities. The rankings for the list take into account various criteria, including sights/landmarks, culture/arts, restaurants/food, people/friendliness, shopping, and value. Online and print readers of the publication can participate in the survey, and they are asked to rate each city based off these factors on a 1-5 scale. With so many wonderful cities in the world, it would be understandable to see a new "best city" crowned each year. Yet for the past three years, Charleston, SC has been honored as the top city in the United States and Canada. For the 20^th annual rankings that were announced last July, Charleston was named the top city in North America and second best city in the world.

What Makes Charleston a Consistent Favorite among Residents and Tourists?

First and foremost, it's a city with passion.  Sean Brock was featured in a recent "Parts Unknown" that focused on the culinary scene in Charleston. He was joined by host Anthony Bourdain and Bill Murray, a man who can live anywhere but chooses to call Charleston his home. Brock's restaurant Husk was listed as one of the reasons why Travel + Leisure readers chose Charleston as the best city in North America.  Brock has a renowned respect for the Lowcountry, and you can see it in his culinary expressions. He is one of many people in Charleston who loves their city and wants to show others the rich heritage and history that make it a city unlike any other.

Second, there are so many things to do. Are you a fan of the beach? Charleston, SC and its surrounding communities offer world-class beaches with beautiful weather year-round. It features mesmerizing architecture throughout the city, and it is home to a number of historical attractions including Fort Sumter.  Charleston also has a wide variety of antique shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, bookstores, and many other establishments that will fill your time when you come for a visit. Charleston blends modern amenities with Old World Southern Charm for a unique experience that is sure to delight you and your entire family. 

Act Now if You Want to Get a Vacation Rental for Late Spring or Early Summer!

Are you thinking about staying in the Charleston area? Carolina One is pleased to offer luxury vacation rentals in Isle of Palms and Folly Beach. Both beach communities are within close driving distance to Charleston, SC, and each offers a unique experience in its own right. Isle of Palms is a barrier island just north of Charleston Harbor that provides families with a luxury resort island experience right in the Lowcountry. Folly Beach is also known as the "Edge of America" and features a number of outdoor activities the whole family will enjoy. Although we don't know if Charleston will be number one when the next list is announced in July, we can guarantee you'll have an amazing time if you choose to come down to the Lowcountry. Check our listings today to learn more about our houses for rent in the Charleston, SC area. 

If you are already planning your summer vacation, you're smart! A lot of people book their rentals anywhere from three to six months ahead of time, or even longer, depending on the location – and Isle of Palms, SC is a popular place for vacation rentals. There are many reasons that so many people come here, from the proximity to Charleston to the beautiful beaches. Here are some of our personal favorite activities to check out on Isle of Palms during the summer:

Isle of Palms County Park

What summer vacation at the beach would be complete without a trip to the beach? Isle of Palms County Park is one of the best places to catch some rays, look for shells or go swimming, but it also has a lot of other advantages. The park has year-round amenities including a boardwalk, changing area, restrooms, a sand volleyball court, a playground, and a picnic area. Along with all of these, the park offers seasonal lifeguards, beach rentals, outdoor showers, shopping, and food and drinks.

Golf

Wild Dunes Resort offers two impressive courses designed by Tom Fazio, the reputed and award-winning golf course architect. The Links course has the distinction of being Fazio's first solo course design, and has just been renovated to include new greens and cart paths, as well as some changes to individual holes. The Harbor course features some of the most spectacular use of water in the golf world, and weaves between backwater, ponds, and the Intracoastal highway. The resort also has a practice area for those who need to get back into the game.

Capers Island

Capers Island is an uninhabited barrier island located just north of Isle of Palms and Dewees Island. It is accessible only by boat, but don't let that stop you! There are several different ways to reach the island, the most common of which is to take a boat tour. You can also kayak over and, if you're adventurous, camp overnight (with a permit).

This island is known for its starkly beautiful Boneyard Beach, so named for the bleached dead tree stumps, trunks, and limbs lining the water. On top of that, there is a ton of unspoiled wildlife to experience here, including palms and salt marshes, raccoons, deer, and dolphins, ospreys, eagles, egrets, herons and pelicans, alligators, and tons of different varieties of fish and crabs.

Charleston Shopping

If you are more of an indoorsy type, heading to nearby Charleston to check out the shopping scene might be more your thing. There are a number of malls and outlets in the area, in general, but if you are looking for the best, most unique selection of haute couture, antiques, and fine dining, King Street is the place to be! This is one of the most famous shopping destinations in the city, and offers notable stores such as the following:

• George C. Birlant & Company, an antiques store with a reputation for the highest quality furniture, silver, and ceramics since it was founded in the 1920s.
• While in the neighborhood, check out Blue Bicycle Books, a used book store with over 50,000 titles and a particularly good collection of books about Charleston.
• Head to the Finicky Filly and House of Sage for youthful, stylish clothes, or check out Anne's for timelessly elegant clothing designs.
• Copper Penny will be your next stop, as you look for a pair (or pairs) of shoes to go with your new outfits.
• Don't forget to hit up some of the art galleries like Corrigan or Sylvan Gallery on your way through the area!

If you aren't shopped out after King Street, make sure to stop by the Charleston City Market, which features a variety of local artists and their crafts. It's one of the major cultural stops that proves that you've actually been to Charleston! 

Special Events

One of the great things about Isle of Palms is that there is always something going on! There are tons of local cultural events happening here, in Charleston, and in other adjacent areas. If you come off-season in February, the island participates in the Lowcountry Blues Festival, an event that is held in many different locations in the close vicinity of Charleston. In June, there is a sandsculpting contest, and in July we hold a 5k beach run and fireworks for Independence Day. In October, there is a Connector Walk/Run, which benefits a local child abuse prevention charity, as well as other charities for children. If you are looking for local live music, check out the Windjammer, a beach club featuring a steady stream of musical acts in a variety of different styles.

If you haven't secured a vacation rental on Isle of Palms for the summer yet, start looking now! Carolina One offers beautiful, convenient, and comfortable rental properties for your vacation, so check out our listings or call us at (843) 202-2000 for more information today!

If you live anywhere in the Northeast for Mid-Atlantic, you are probably still digging yourself out of snow right now. These areas were hit hard by Jonas, and the snowstorm triggered heavy snowfall, high winds, and heavy flooding in some shore towns. Some areas got as much as 30 inches of snow. If you have tired of Old Man Winter's antics and are ready for summer, it is never too early to get started looking for a summer rental. There are many places to check out, but we are partial to Isle of Palms SC vacation rentals as they offer beautiful Southern architecture, pristine beaches, and a whole lot of Southern charm as well. Here are a few tips to help you find an affordable vacation rental. 

Book Early

Most vacation homes see spots filled up well before Memorial Day – in fact, it is not out of the question to see coveted times of summer booked months in advance. Therefore, if you have a specific time in mind for when you want to visit Isle of Palms, begin as early as possible. At the same time, if you have more wiggle room, it might be advantageous to book early as well as you might get a better deal. Some rental owners and their agents would prefer to get a spot filled than play the waiting game. This could mean that they're more willing to settle at a lower price.

Don't Be Afraid to Negotiate

It never hurts to negotiate. In many cases the owner or agent will have a number in mind that they're willing to go down to if needed, but you should be prepared to walk or pay the asking price as some aren't willing to budge. Still, if you can save money doing so, it can't hurt to try.

Book a Vacation Rental outside of Town or off the Beach

There's no question that beachfront property has its perks, but it comes at a price. If you don't need to have a place on the beach or right downtown and are just looking for a place to relax, you might be able to save a significant amount of money booking a vacation rental in a less sought after location.

Choose a Less Popular Week and Earn Extra Perks

Isle of Palms is a beautiful place to visit all-year round. If you're willing to visit at an off-peak time, you may be able to get extra perks as motivation for signing up for that week. It's not unheard of to have your pet fees waived or even have your groceries paid for to entice you to book an off-peak time that may not get as much interest.

Consult an Agent

Various vacation rental sites will only provide you with the listings; they will not give you recommendations, inside information, and details about Isle of Palms vacation rentals as an agent would. An agent could keep an eye out for special deals and good owners whom they've worked with in the past. It might be a good idea to consult one, especially if you're not from the area. 

Are you looking to start 2016 off feeling your best, performing better at the office, and improving your family life? If so, take a vacation. No seriously. The holiday season can be a festive time, but it can also be a stressful one as well.  Think of all the things you have to do this time of year. You have to worry about finding gifts in overcrowded malls and stores, deal with inclement weather if you live in areas prone to that, deal with daily stressors at work and at home, and interact with your extended family.

Over the course of the six week season, it makes sense that you might leave it a little more stressed than you were when you entered it. Plus, we can't rule out other facets of health either. During the holiday season, many of us will throw caution to the wind when it comes to food and drink in the name of merriment. By the time January 1^st hits, you might find that your clothing quite doesn't fit as well as it did over the summer. 

Taking a vacation now can help you offset some of the negative aspects of the holiday season and allow you to start the New Year off right. Need some more motivation? Here are several reasons why you should take a vacation as soon as possible:

You May Lose Them at the End of the Year

Are you the type who likes to save their days until the end of the year. More companies are adopting a "use them or lose them" policy. Therefore, it might be a risk to save your vacation days until later in the year. A new project could come up or there may be a round of layoffs that eliminates your ability to take off.

You'll Be More Productive at Work

Taking a week off from work may seem like the opposite of being productive, but this couldn't be further from the truth.  According to a survey conducted by Expedia in 2012, 34% of professionals came back from the holidays feeling refreshed and more able to work. Think about it. If you're relaxed and rested, wouldn't you able to work more efficiently?

You Will Live Longer

Studies have indicated that people who vacation more live on average 20% more than those who are chained to their desks. Let's say you spend a week in one of the many great Isle of Palms vacation rentals in South Carolina. Wouldn't you want to live longer just so you could come back? In all seriousness, vacationing improves stress levels and reduces inflammation, which is responsible for a host of different chronic conditions.

You Will Have a Memory You and Your Family Can Enjoy

If your household is like most households in America, you probably spend too little time together and that time is spent looking down at your mobile devices. Vacations allow families to reconnect and provide a memory that they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. If you want to make an investment in improving your family life, a vacation may provide to pay excellent dividends. 

Earlier this month, Anthony Bourdain focused one of his episodes of CNN'S Parts Unknown on the great city of Charleston. If there is something that the Low Country is known for more than anything else, it could be its legendary cuisine. Bourdain had conducted a show in Charleston once before, but he felt that he didn't get it done right the first time. For example, he had champagne with his oyster pie.

For the purposes of the episode, Bourdain met with a number of different chefs and celebrities in order to fully capture the Low Country cuisine. He spent a majority of the episode with Chef Sean Brock – a culinary superstar who is the executive chef of Huck and a previous recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Southeast Chef. You might have seen him on The Mind of a Chef if you were a fan of that show.

The biggest star seen on the show was Bill Murray. Bill Murray is a part owner for the Charleston RiverDogs. He is also an active member of the Charleston community. Murray, Brock, and Bourdain discussed some of the nuances of Low Country cuisine and the laid back lifestyle that makes Charleston, South Carolina such a wonderful place to visit. If you want to relax by the beach, check out amazing historical attractions, and eat some of the best food in the country, Charleston has it all

What Is Low Country Cuisine?

As Chef Sean Brock pointed out, one could say that Low Country cuisine is America's first cuisine. It has connections to New Orleans cuisine and Cajun cuisine, but it is certainly a cuisine of its own. It comprises the food cultivated by farmers and chefs along the South Carolina coast and into Georgia. We call it the Low Country because it is the area of South Carolina below the Sandhills. Any part of South Carolina above the Sandhills is appropriately called the Up Country.

The Low Country and Up Country are somewhat different in regard to cuisine. The Low Country incorporates much more in the way of seafood. Some of the cuisine's most famous dishes include She-crap Soup, the aforementioned oyster pie, shrimp and grits, crab cakes, Lowcountry boil, and Frogmore stew. Seafood is typically offered at most meals as it is readily available and fresh. This is why you won't find as much seafood-heavy dishes in the interior parts of South Carolina. Before refrigeration and modern forms of shipment, you couldn't get seafood in these parts because of the spoilage risks.

Besides seafood, vegetables, beans, Charleston red rice, and grits are all major components of Low Country cuisine.  You can also find baked mac and cheese, black-eyed peas dishes, fried okra, and much more. Whatever your diet preferences are, you're sure to find something you like in the Low Country.

If you are looking at vacation rentals in Isle of Palms, SC remember to bring your appetite when you come to the Low Country. In addition to the amazing beaches, Southern hospitality of the residents, and beautiful architecture, people come to the Charleston area for the delicious food. Consider Charleston, SC for your next vacation spot for a culinary experience like no other. 

The holidays are just around the corner, and husbands, wives, girlfriends, and boyfriends are trying to think of the perfect gift to get their sweetheart.  You’ve already given them jewelry, they seem to have every Blu-ray and DVD they could want, and it seems like as soon as you give them an electronic it’s already out of date.  Did you know that there’s a perfect gift you give your special someone that’s guaranteed to be something they’ll want?  Instead of giving them A materialistic item, think about getting them a getaway for the holidays.  A vacation, whether you take it during the holidays or a different time, can be the ideal gift for your partner.  It can to their favorite vacation destination, somewhere new, or even local.  It doesn’t matter where you go, because vacation gifts have these characteristics in common.

They’ll have a gift that will last

Novelty is something that almost every gift comes with, but it’ll eventually wear off.  Your boyfriend or girlfriend may love the video game that you got them, but they’re going to eventually beat it and move on to something else.  Jewelry can last for years, but rings and necklaces can eventually go out of style.  The memories from their vacation will last for a lifetime.  They won’t get bored with them, they won’t go out of style, and they can’t return it.

They can make it their own

If you’re worried about your loved one not liking their vacation, you don’t have to plan it all out before you start booking flights and rentals.  You can easily say that you’ve set money aside, and then you can both go about planning their perfect vacation.  If they want to lie on the beach all day and read a book, they can plan a getaway to somewhere peaceful and tropical.  If they always wanted to see the Carolinas, you can look for houses for rent in Charleston, SC.  Whatever they want, you can make it possible. 

It’s a gift you can share

There’s something to be said about sharing experiences with somebody that you love.  You can buy your wife a diamond bracelet, but you both can’t wear it.  You could take turns reading a book or playing a game, but one of you will always be ahead of the other.  A vacation is the ultimate gift you both can share.  You’ll be able to plan the ultimate vacation, and then spend it with the one you love.  What could possibly be a better gift than that?