Do you feel overworked? Overwhelmed? Maybe even a little like you're in need a major vacation. Well, if you are an American worker, you are not alone. The Center for Economic and Policy Research estimates that 25% of Americans don't take a vacation anymore, and that number jumps up to 31% if you work a minimum or low wage job. If you're like a lot of people, not taking a vacation may not have much to do with your amount of vacation time, but with the fact that you feel guilty taking any time off of work unless it's for an emergency.

Maybe you're in the middle of a huge project, or maybe you don't feel "comfortable" taking some time off. Either way, it's time to get out of that mindset and enjoy a much-deserved vacation! There are houses for rent in Charleston, SC and beach bungalows at Summerville that are calling your name. If you're feeling guilty about taking time off, you won't after you read this.

Happy workers are more productive

If you're already feeling a bit down in the dumps over problems at work, we don't need to tell you how much a bad mood can ruin your day. Different studies have shown how vacations can benefit individuals, and those effects can have trickle down benefits for your company. Imagine starting your average work week on a Monday after a normal weekend. Now imagine starting your week after you've had a three day weekend relaxing with your friends and family. Happy workers have a brighter outlook on the day, are often more productive, and can even have an easier time thinking of fresh ideas to benefit the company.

Vacations help relationships

Do you feel like you and your significant other aren't communicating as well as you used to? Can you not remember the last time you and your kids sat down and just had time to talk? You aren't the only one that's feeling stressed from your daily work load, your spouse and kids can feel just as burned out as you do by their daily routine. Some time off from work or school can help you reconnect with the people that mean the most to you in life.

Vacations are good for your health

Remember when we were talking about how a vacation can leave you feeling refreshed and ready for work? There's something about vacations that can have a transformative affect on people, and some believe that the reasons may be medical. A study on people who are at high risk for coronary heart disease found that men that failed to take annual vacations were 32% more likely to have a fatal heart attack. Stress is no joke health-wise, and a buildup of it could lead to a variety of stress-related health problems.

When you think of South Carolina, what comes to your mind? Perhaps you think of its state nicknames; the Palmetto State, Keystone of the South Atlantic Seaboard, the Iodine State, and even the Rice State. Or maybe you think of its incredible vacationing opportunities, since it has so many beautiful beaches. It is also possible that you think of South Carolina’s spotlight locations, such as Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Magnolia & Cypress Gardens, and the Hilton Head Resorts. However, have you ever considered Summerville?

With summer here, it is only appropriate to live or vacation in a place called Summerville. This lovely part of South Carolina has much to offer its visitors and residents. Here are just a few:

1.       Summerville has been dubbed as “the Flowertown in the Pines” and for a good reason: there are plenty of beautiful flowers which only add the much-needed color every place needs. You will be delighted by the gorgeous display and will never be short of scenery that is aesthetically pleasing.

2.       There are plenty of arts and culture in Summerville. If you enjoy the arts or engaging in a rich cultural lifestyle, then Summerville is definitely a good choice for you. Take Sculpture in the South, for instance. This location allows you and whomever else you wish to bring to put you up close and personal with nationally known sculptors in the area. Here, you will also discover a broad range of original, fine art sculpture from western to wildlife, which is awe-inspiring (especially when it comes to the more abstract pieces).

3.       There are plenty of attractions in Summerville. No matter what reason you decide to visit—whether it is to seek out Summerville SC real estate or to take a vacation—this location has an attraction for you. You can easily take on the charm of the beautiful plantations along Highway 61. Take a trip on the Trolley down Summerville’s Sweet Tea Trail and explore the unique Southern dining, shopping, history, and cultural experiences.

4.       Summerville has an excellent amount of community events. There is the Summerville’s Farmer Market, a Red, White and Blue on the Green event, and even a Third Thursdays Downtown which is perfect for visitors and locals.

5.       The parks are incredible. If you are eager to get more in touch with nature, then let Summerville help. There are multiple parks, such as the Azalea Park, Huger Playground, Doty Park, and much more.

If you are thinking of a nice place to live or vacation, then don’t forget about Summerville. This place is a true gem, which is worthy of taking a visit to. 

Whether you're already nestled into a cozy home in Charleston, South Carolina, or you're considering moving there soon, there's one thing visitors, transplants, and lifetime residents can agree on: summer is the state's best season. With the great weather and even better scenery, you can't let it go to waste! If you aren't completely sold on South Carolina already, you'll be convinced when you hear about these great events to look forward to in the near future.

Firework Celebrations

The 4^th of July in Charleston isn't just restricted to one location. The main and most extravagant display will be held at Patriots Point, where you can pay $10 for parking, pull out some chairs and blankets to sit back and watch the fireworks. For an additional cost of $30, you can get access to the USS Yorktown's flight deck and score some of the most impressive views of the event available. Other nearby towns and areas, such as Summerville, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and North Charleston will all have their own celebrations, some with live music and contests.

The Summer Concert Series

Kiawah Island hosts this event, which features the talents of a different local band every Saturday evening from late May to the end of August. The concerts will be held on the Grand Lawn of the Sanctuary and will be family-friendly, making it a great experience for everyone!

The Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series

If you're looking for a truly active event to take part in, why not consider a triathlon? Held in James Island County Park, this 24 year-old event features a 0.3 mile swim, a 12 mile bike ride, and a 5 mile run. If that all sounds like a bit much for you, don't be discouraged! You can enter races separately or as a package, so it's easy to choose the amount of exercise you think you can handle. Registration is still open for the last three dates in the series, but space is limited and there is no race-day registration, so sign up now!

Fishing Tournaments

If you're an avid angler, why not bring the kids out to the pier with you and spend the day doing what you love for a prize? The Folly Beach fishing pier has remaining tournaments on July 12^th and August 16^th during the summer, and offers discounted rates for Charleston County residents, seniors, and children 12 and under. The event is held from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with prizes to follow.

Still looking for real estate or a rental in Charleston? We've got rentals and houses for sale galore in the area – call Carolina One Realty today!

The city of Charleston, SC has been called "The Holy City" and "Chucktown" by a variety of people, but more simply refer to the historic city as "home." Charleston is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the state, and if current trends continue, there are going to be a lot of people looking for Charleston, SC real estate. When some people look for homes in the city, they're much more concerned with price than they are the actual location. Some may say they want downtown and others may want something in the city's suburbs, but in general a lot of people don't know about the distinct neighborhoods the city has. Every block of the city has its own story, and there are some neighborhoods that people can't seem to resist. If you're interested in moving to the city, consider moving to one of these neighborhoods:

South of Broad

Do you want to move to Charleston because you want to live in a historic "old south" city? Have you been saving up to buy a historic or antebellum home? If you want to live in a neighborhood that is full of old south style and feels like an oasis in a modern world, you should consider moving to South of Broad. South of Broad is quite possibly the most exclusive and famous area in the city. The homes here can vary in terms of price, but this isn't a neighborhood for people that are looking for a "cheap" house.

West Ashley

West Ashley is an area of Charleston that has seen a lot of change over the past few decades. The area is surrounded by beautiful marshes and waterfront vistas, but the area didn't go through its recent population and construction boom until around the 1950s. Since then, a thriving and distinct Charleston district has seemingly popped out of the moss and live oak trees. If you see yourself as the kind of person that would love to spend a few weekend nights in the downtown area, this is the ideal neighborhood. It feels like any other suburban area, but it's a short drive (or bus or train ride) to get to all of the city fun.

North Charleston

In the past, North Charleston used to be popular with naval families who lived near the Charleston Naval Base and people that worked in nearby factories. When the naval base shut down in the 90s, the area lost a lot of families, but their movement led to a significant drop in real estate prices. Now, the area seems to be going through a revitalization, since homeowners and start-up companies have flocked to the area for its affordable property.  

If you're looking for homes in Charleston, you have a lot of options available to you. You could easily find a nice condo in the downtown district, or you can find a reasonably priced family home in almost every neighborhood. People have their own reasons for looking for Charleston real estate, but some aren't moving to the city because they want to be closer to their job or to the downtown area. 

Charleston has been a prominent city for centuries and, as the years passed, more and more homes have been built. The city is full of historic homes for sale, and people that have always wanted to own a small part of history come to Charleston determined to find one of their own. Owning a historic home can seem very appealing, but before you commit to it, there are a few things you should know:

Limited exterior work

If you fall in love with a historic home, you should find one that you love "as is." Some people don't mind sprucing up a home with a new coat of paint and few new windows, but if you own a historic home, your improvement projects may be severely limited. The goal of every historic district is to preserve the character and look of a neighborhood, and the majority of them do this by having rules about how the exterior of the house looks. Depending on what neighborhood you live in, you may not be able to make any changes without getting approval from a committee.

Major inside repair work

You may not be able to paint your house a different color, but you may have to do some electrical or plumbing work to make the house habitable. This is one of the trade-offs of owning a historical home. Some homeowners have to pay a couple thousand dollars to have their homes re-wired for electricity because they current set up was dangerous. Others have had to install HVAC systems to make the homes more comfortable in Charleston's sweltering summers. 

Checking for dangerous chemicals

Today's builders wouldn't dream of insulating a house with asbestos or painting rooms with lead paint, but the home builders of the past wouldn't have given it a second thought. If you're looking into buying a historic home, you should have your home inspected for any potential dangerous building materials (especially if you have children or elderly tenants). Remember, it's possible to get these things removed, but it could cost extra money.

Potential tax breaks

There is a big difference between owning a home in a historic district and owning a home that is registered as a historic place. Local municipalities, state, and even federal authorities all have historic registries, and if your home happens to be on one, you could qualify for some property tax breaks from the state. 

Anyone who has bought a home can tell you that the process can be lengthy and detailed. From the price of the home to the number of bedrooms, the amenities and the location, there is a lot to take into consideration.

Staying organized and efficient during the home-buying process can be especially hard. Since you're looking at different homes, keeping track of the prices and features, and are probably applying for a mortgage, the whole process can feel overwhelming. But it no longer has to be -- you can make the job easy by using mobile apps. Today, there are dozens of free and cheap applications you can download on your phone and conveniently use during your search. To help you search for Charleston SC real estate, here are seven apps you should use.

1. Carolina One MOBILE

This free app makes it incredibly easy and convenient to search for real estate in the metro Charleston, South Carolina area.Using the GPS search, it will pull up homes for sale near you. It can also find homes based on the city or zip code. You can find out all of the important details about a home, such as the price, size, mortgage, features, and more. If you see homes that you like, you can instantly save them and e-mail or text them to friends and family. There's also a "Call" feature that will instantly connect you with a Carolina One Mobile real estate professional.

2. House Hunter

When visiting a number of locations, it can certainly be hard to keep track of all the details. The House Hunter apps make it easy by providing a scorecard that lets you rate potential homes and make notes on each one.

3. Mortgage Calculator

This app makes it simple to figure out your monthly mortgage payment on a potential home and also lets you search for the best mortgage rates in your area. In addition, it includes bi-weekly savings details, refinance information, and helpful tips for you to utilize.

4. Dictionary of Real Estate Terms

When shopping for a home, it can be hard to understand some of the terms used by realtors. The Dictionary of Real Estate Terms provides a glossary of words concerning real estate and mortgages, with definitions for home buyers and sellers to help them through the process.

5. AroundMe

Location is an important factor when trying to find the right home. What's around the area? With the AroundMe app, you can search and learn about nearby restaurants, retailers, banks, hospitals, supermarkets, and other establishments.

6. Photo Measures

You find a home you're interested in, but aren't sure if it will provide enough space. The Photo Measures app lets you take pictures of various areas in the home and save the measurements. This allows you to plan your space, should you decide to buy the home.

7. ColorSmart

When looking inside the home, you're probably going to be wondering which colors to paint the rooms. The ColorSmart app lets you visualize different shades in the potential home. All you have to do is take a picture of the area and fill in the wall with the color.

The very thought of house hunting can be a little daunting. There are a lot of factors to consider, from the neighborhood and school systems to the price and the number of bedrooms, and you'll need to stay organized in order to make the best, most educated decision. Here are some of the essential tools (both old and new) that you will need in your search:

Paper and Pencil

These basic tools will be the first that you use. Before you go looking online or even driving around and window shopping from the car, take some time to think. Make two lists: the first list should be the things that your property must have for you to even consider it; the second should be things that you wish you could have, but are not necessarily deal breakers. Type out copies of these lists and keep them with you at all times when you are house hunting. They will also be a great asset to share with your agents, so that we are better able to assist you.

A Binder

You may not have kept a binder of notes since you were in school; however, organization is important during a house search. There is a good chance that you will be looking at many properties, both online and in person. Keeping a binder with notes on each offers you a quick reference point as you begin to narrow down your options.

The Internet

Technology is quickly becoming an intrinsic part of our lives. The Internet is an especially good tool to use during a house hunt, as it offers a variety of different ways for potential buyers and renters to determine what they need. For instance, you may find a calculator that will let you figure out exactly what you can spend without stretching yourself too thin. Another great online tool is the Charleston MLS service that we offer here at Carolina One. An MLS, or Multiple Listing Service, allows us to find other agents working for sellers and puts us in touch with them. It is one of the many tools that we use to find your next home.

Buying or renting a home is a huge commitment. Organizing yourself with some basic tools prior to your search can help calm your fears and keep you focused. Happy hunting!

Many people who purchase a home in Charleston, SC are doing so for the purposes of owning a vacation home in the wintertime. If you live in the Midwest, Northeast or Pacific Northwest, look outside right now. December 21^st marked the beginning of winter, so we imagine there’s snow, ice or something indicative of the winter months. Those who are retired or can work remotely will often bypass these months and go somewhere with more approachable weather.

Because Charleston enjoys rather warm winters and has a location right off the Atlantic coast, it is a popular vacation home spot, and there are many homes available. If you’re considering purchasing a vacation home, here are some things to keep in mind as you search for South Carolina real estate:

You’ll need a pretty good credit rating: Obtaining a second loan often requires a bit higher of a credit score to get approval or a favorable rating. If you haven’t checked your credit score or gotten a credit report in a while, it might be a good idea to review these things to look for any mistakes or ways you can improve your score. You’ll generally need a score of at least 720 for a second/vacation home.

Save up for a larger down payment:  On traditional home loan mortgages, the rule of thumb is generally 20%. With a second home, many lenders will require a larger down payment up front –usually in the range of 25%-35%. Take this into account when reviewing to see how much home you can afford. Plus, it’s best to have as large a down payment as possible to ensure the bank’s confidence in giving you a good rate.

Figure out why you’re getting a second home in the first place: On the top of the financial considerations you must make, it’s also a good idea to take a look at why you’re buying a second home in the first place. Is it just the weather? Are you looking to explore new interests? Do you want to be around family? All of these social considerations will help you determine where would be the best place to purchase a second home. The Charleston area offers many social opportunities and is highly accessible, so you’re only at most a flight away from children, grandchildren and friends.

If you’re interested in purchasing a second home in the Charleston area, please contact us today to find the right home for you.

Charleston, South Carolina has many impressive attributes that have made it one of the most popular and iconic places in the South and in the country. The city is a meeting place of art, nature, history (lots of it), culinary decadence and architecture, and boasts a unique cultural scene all its own. Many of the top attractions here can be accessed on foot, so the place is remarkably convenient to live and work in. People who are considering moving to this fantastic location should check out the things that it has to offer.

Charleston has several major attractions that residents love. The area's beautiful beaches are among the best on the east coast and are ideal for tanning, swimming and snorkeling. Nearby areas like Sullivan's Island are especially known for the sandy shorelines and quaint communities and Edisto Island is famous for its seashells.

Charleston is also known for its high quality golf courses. Kiawah Island is just a brief drive from the city and features world-renowned greens that are sure to please even the most demanding players.

Nature lovers will enjoy exploring Charleston's famed low country. This scenic area offers dramatic wetlands and swamps in addition to its beaches, and residents can spend their weekends paddling through the marshes, visiting lighthouses, and going on dolphin tours. 

Travelers who would rather stay indoors may want to check out Charleston's vibrant art scene, where the College of Charleston's Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art features impressive and varied exhibits.

Charleston also has a wide array of excellent restaurants, all bursting with famous low country flavor. One of the city's most popular restaurants for visitors and locals is Hominy Grill, which features all of the down home recipes that you could ever hope for in a southern restaurant and is famous for -- you guessed it -- its grits. The city is also known for freshly-caught seafood, gumbo, southern comfort foods like collard greens and fried fish, as well as a highly diverse cuisine that includes everything from modern American-style fine dining to Italian and French classics.

Charleston is a truly unique city, with a charm and culture that won't be encountered anywhere else. People who are interested in moving to the city or its environs should check out our Charleston SC MLS for the best housing options around. With our experience at Carolina One Real Estate, we can help everybody find the home of their dreams in what we like to consider one of the most perfect cities on the planet.

All of us get stressed out every now and then, but did you know that where you live matters in regard to stress? In one study conducted in 2008 by the American Psychological Association, 2000 adults were polled across the country, and the differences in stress levels were amazing. It makes sense given the characteristics of some cities. A resident of New York City or any other quick paced Northeastern city will have a different personality than say someone from Atlanta or Portland. And having as little stress in your life is important.

High stress levels are linked with a whole host of different ailments, including a damaged cardiovascular system, high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety, depression and more. Stress produces inflammation in the body. While a little bit of stress is necessary, too much can prematurely age you and put you at risk of all of these conditions. For these reasons and more, you want to pick a location to live where you can relax and maximize your happiness. Here's why you might want to look into Charleston real estate:

It's right by the beach: If you were to download a meditation app or view a guided meditation video, one of the images you'll often see is that of the beach. There's nothing like a day on the beach, and the calming waves and cool breeze can do wonders for your stress levels. Bonus points if you run on the beach. Exercise has constantly been shown to reduce stress levels.

It's relatively cheap to live: Compared to the cities in the Northeast or West, Charleston is a relative bargain. If you're talking about causes of stress, money is surely up there on the list. In Charleston, you can live like a king in comparison to Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York or Chicago.

There's hardly any traffic: Researchers can indicate how stressed you are by how long your commute is. If you're on the road for more than an hour a day, you're more at risk for all of those bad conditions mentioned above. Charleston is less congested than most cities in the country, so you won't have to spend all of your free time in your car.

A Wave and a Smile: More than anything else, people find relaxation when they move to Charleston because of its residents. You won't find a friendlier bunch than the people you'll meet in Charleston. Anyone you come across on the street will greet you with a smile and hello, and they're always looking to extend a helping hand.

If you're looking to relax, there are few better places than the city of Charleston.