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.

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?

Finding houses for rent in Charleston, SC has gotten easier but there’s still a big difference in quality from one to the next. If you’re looking at renting a house, it’s important to get one you’ll be happy with—including the home itself and the people running it. Here are a few aspects to look for to find a rental house you’ll love:

Location

Renting a house is a great chance to try out a new neighborhood or to get closer to the center of Charleston’s night life. Good house rental companies should have a variety of properties in all kinds of neighborhoods, from trendy areas to quiet suburbs. This means you have a wide selection to choose from and should take the time to decide which area is right for you. Consider also how long of a commute you want—saving even 30 minutes a day is a good way to give yourself more free time for relaxing, socializing with friends, or working on projects that matter to you.

Air Conditioning

This may seem like a minor point, but if you’ve been through a Charleston summer, you know it’s not. It’s surprising how many houses in Charleston still don’t have central AC or any AC at all. If there’s even a chance you’re going to be renting through the summer then consider it a priority to get a rental house with air conditioning. You’ll be glad you did.

Professional management

Now we’re getting into the nitty gritty. Houses for rent in Charleston, SC come in all different shapes and sizes, and so do the companies that run them. Generally, if you want a trouble-free experience you’re going to want to rent a house that is run by a professional management company. Real estate offices often rent houses and typically contract reliable management to make it hassle free for everybody on both sides. This can be a good place to start your search, but no matter how you find your rental house, make sure there is a dedicated building manager whom you can easily contact when needed.

A focus on amenities

Not everybody wants the same amenities in a rental house, but a good rental company will have a focus on providing as many as possible. High speed wireless Internet may be a must for some people, while a luxurious bathtub might matter to others. Look around a prospective rental house and ask yourself: are they putting my comfort first?

What else do you look for in a rental house?

If you were to look at our MLS listings page, you would notice that one of the things that you can search for is the number of bathrooms you would prefer for your home. This is not something that you should take likely. The number of bathrooms you have in your home can greatly affect the amount of happiness you have – don’t agree, just ask any parents with children and only one bathroom. But how many bathrooms do you need for your SC home? When you’re looking for homes for sale in Charleston, SC, here are some things to keep in mind in regard to the number of bathrooms you’ll need:

·         How much can you afford? The  number of bathrooms you have in your home will greatly affect the listing price of the home. Quite frankly, the more bathrooms in the home, the higher the value of the home. When looking at features you might want for your home, the number of bathrooms should go in your analysis of how much you can afford.

·         You’ll be better able to sell your home: If you are looking for a home that you’ll eventually resell, you might want a home with more than one bathroom. According to real estate figures released in 2010, less than 25% of the homes out there sold had one bathroom. Homeowners who did sell were able to get 84% of their asking price when they had two or more bathrooms as opposed to those with one bathroom who only received 77%.

·         You’ll have better relationships with other people in the home: A couple with separate bathrooms is a happy couple. While it’s certainly a luxury to have more than one bathroom, if you can afford it, it might be worth it to maintain the peace. Between people rushing to getting ready in the morning to the mystery of who left the toilet seat up, sharing a bathroom can be tough.

As you look at SC homes, consider the number of bathrooms you’ll need to make your living experience optimal. For more information about SC real estate, contact us today. 

Have you checked out South Carolina real estate and found a home that you fell in love with? You’re not alone. Each year, thousands of individuals from the Northeast, Midwest, West Coast, and in areas around the world decide to make the move to South Carolina to take advantage of the beautiful scenery, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, friendly people, warm weather and numerous historical attractions. However, once you find your home, your job is not over yet. You still need to make the move. And moving can be one of the most stress-inducing events in one’s life. Luckily, it’s very easy to make a seamless transition into your new home. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Clean Your Current Home: When it comes time to pack, it’s can be overwhelming if you have clutter everywhere. Make it a point to clean your home as often as possible in the lead-up before packing so your home will be organized when it comes time to pack. That way you won’t run around wondering where everything is.

Think like a Minimalist: When you live somewhere, it’s only natural to acquire stuff along the way. Now the question for you is do you need all of those belongings when you decide to move? If you think you can part with some of your things, it could make for a much easier move. A garage sale is a great way to get rid of that old couch or treadmill and make a little money to finance the move. You can also think about giving things away to friends and family as well as donate to your local charity or thrift store for a tax deduction.

Consider Getting Movers: A long distance move is not for the inexperienced mover. If you are intimidated by the idea of moving your goods across the country, it might be a good idea to consider looking into moving services. Movers can alleviate you from the heavy lifting, pack your furniture and belongings safely, and determine the best route to get you to your new destination. They’ll unpack for you as well.

Remember to Change Your Address: When you make it to your new home, remember to change your address on your driver’s license, credit cards, and contact information. You’ll also have to most likely open up new bank accounts and verify your auto insurance information. The sooner you take care of these details, the sooner you’ll be able to get comfortable in your new home.

The city of Charleston, South Carolina is known for its architecture, deep history, and mannerly people. These are just some of the reasons tourists flock to Charleston each year for vacation. They come to see the sites, sample the fine foods, and interact with the friendly, smile-wearing locals. If you're not a Charleston native why would you choose to relocate to this wonderful city? It's clear from several publications that the area is best known for the Southern charm it exudes. Travel + Leisure Magazine honored Charleston with the "America's Most Friendly City" Award in 2011. Further, Southern Living Magazine refers to Charleston as the "most polite and hospitable city in America." These prestigious accolades are only some of the reasons that people visit this great city and then begin searching for homes for sale there.

The European-American City

Many people feel that the reason Charleston is such an enchanting city is because of its perfect blend of French, English, and Southern cultures. There aren't many cities in the United States that people feel like they've been transported back in time while visiting. This is because the city is full of breathtaking architecture, beautifully preserved historical buildings, and entertaining museums that are unique to Charleston. Combine these things with wonderful weather year round, and you've got yourself a slice of heaven.

Something for Everyone

Charleston is the type of city that truly has something for everyone. If you're a history buff, then you will be able to leave your home and visit a historic fort or extensive plantation on weekends. If the shopping scene is more your thing, you will never get tired of visiting the countless boutiques and antique shops that are constantly refreshing their inventory. Since the weather in Charleston is so close to perfect, people who enjoy the great outdoors will never grow tired of biking on the trails, kayaking in the creeks, or chilling on the pristine beaches. The restaurants are also top-notch and Charleston is known as one of the great eating cities of the South. Again, these are the reasons tourists flock to the city, but also the reasons that so many stay.

People are motivated to relocate to the great city by a certain feeling that they get when setting foot here that could almost be described as magical -- and that same feeling gets people looking for homes for sale in Charleston, SC so that they can always experience it. The locals take pride in being known as America's friendliest city and always welcome to new residents.

It's never too early to get started looking for things to do in the holidays. Now that summer is over and we can officially celebrate pumpkin lattes and the return of cardigans, we can now get ready for the best time of the year: the holiday season. If you're a fan of the holidays and you're looking for a place that fosters the wonderment and joyousness of the time, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better place than Charleston, South Carolina. Here are some jolly good reasons you might want to look into real estate in Charleston, SC.

Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble: You know you're going to eat a lot on the big day, so why not get a little exercise with friends beforehand? Located each year at Marion Square, the Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble is ran by over 6,000 runners on Thanksgiving to give them the opportunity to burn some calories before they gorge themselves on stuffing and gravy a few hours later. It's also a great time spent with friends, and there are a variety of activities for non-runners, including face painting, live music and a beer tent.

Buy Local Month: The heart of Charleston, South Carolina is our small businesses. Therefore, to support and celebrate them, Low Country created Buy Local Month, a month-long series of events and promotions designed to encourage people to shop and eat locally. Some of the events include the King Street Holiday ShopMob and the Buy Local Bash. You can start your shopping on November 15^th and it runs all of the way until December 15^th, so you'll have ample time to get your Christmas shopping done.

Holiday Festival of Lights: If you live or are planning to move to the Charleston area, you cannot go through the Christmas season without visiting the Holiday Festival of Lights at least once. Located in James Island County Park, there are over two million lights lit around the three mile drive through the park. If you're not in the mood to drive, you can climb aboard the train that goes around the park for a small fee. In addition to the lights, there are gingerbread homes, marshmallow roasts, photos with Santa and more. The Holiday Festival of Lights runs from November 8^th to the end of the year.

Getting excited about the holidays yet? This is just a small sample of the events that make Charleston, SC a great place to live, especially during the holidays. 

If you're like most people, you want a house that you can call a home. This means having the bare essentials along with a little land for a garden or pool, low property taxes, nice neighbors whom you can invite to barbeques, block parties and birthday celebrations, a quality school system and terrific weather. It's because of this mindset that many prospective homeowners look at real estate in Charleston, SC.  Charleston offers comfortable weather, close proximity to the beach, warm hospitality and low property taxes. However, before you start looking at MLS listings, there are several things you might want to consider first:

How long do you plan on living in the area? If you're thinking about purchasing a home, the first question you need to ask yourself is whether or not you plan to stay for the long-run. While purchasing a home can certainly be a great investment, you should plan on staying a while to make the down payment and moving costs worthwhile.

How much house can you afford? Before you begin looking at Charleston homes, it's important to have an idea of what your price range is. Part of the equation will be the amount of your down payment. Another factor will be property taxes. You generally should not be spending more than 35 percent of your income on your mortgage payments. Although Charleston homes can be very affordable, it's still good to know, so you can pinpoint your search.

When was the last time you checked out your credit? Not knowing your FICO score is a recipe for disaster when you're looking for a new home. Several months before you decide that you want to start a home search, make it a point to look into your and your spouse's credit reports to make sure there aren't any mistakes. Also get your credit score updated. If it's lower than you wish, now is the time to fix it as a lower score will equate to a higher rate.

There's no question that a move to the state of South Carolina can be a terrific transition to the next part of your life: great weather, beautiful beaches and did we mention delicious peaches? By considering these things before you start your search, you'll be able to find the home that you want at a price that you can afford.

Each year, magazines and news outlets across the country usually take some time to help retirees find the best place to retire. Charleston, South Carolina usually makes it to the top of the list because of its beautiful beaches, townhouse-lined streets, delicious sweet tea and Old Southern charm. You won’t find a better place to retire if you enjoy warm weather and a slower pace of living. Perhaps that’s why many retirees are looking into real estate in Charleston, SC. Is Charleston, South Carolina the right spot for you? Here are some things that might factor in your decision-making process on where you retire:

Do you need public transportation? As we age we might not be as willing or able to get behind the wheel as we once were. Most of us surely would prefer to avoid sitting in traffic whenever possible. That’s why, for some, it might be advantageous to take a look at the public transportation system the spot you’re looking at offers. Because Charleston is a major city of the South, it has all the public transportation options you would expect from a city its size.

What kind of weather are you looking for? Now you shouldn’t base your entire decision on the climate, but it should be on the top of the list. If, for example, you’re not a fan of the cold weather, why would ever consider retiring up north. Your retirement is the time to sit back and enjoy yourself, and there’s no question that you should pick a place that has a favorable climate. Charleston, SC enjoys a milder climate than most, but you do still get four seasons, which is a major benefit for those who get bored of the heat all-year round.

What is the local community like? One of the things that many people don’t consider when moving into an area is the demographics. Now if you’re looking to move in with people of the same age, you probably wouldn’t want to move into a big college town. However, if you’re looking to feel young or keep up with the latest in alternative culture, a college town or other major metropolitan area might make sense. Charleston is a decently-sized metropolitan area and has seen a major influx of younger people move in over the past decade. In fact, nearly 35% of Charleston’s population is under the age of 45, so if you want to feel young at heart, you might want to consider looking into Charleston real estate.