Staging has become more common in the last five years or so.  What is it?  Does it make that big of a difference when selling?  Is it worth the cost? What is Staging? Home staging is the act of preparing your home for sale.  The goal is to make your home appealing to the highest number of potential

Check out some of the fun Summerville events in December. Crystal & Gem Show - December 5th, 9am Come find a wide variety of Crystals, find Reiki charged candles, crystal stone jewelry, sage, incense, wooden boxes, and Bohemian style clothing. And we heard there will be lots of specials. Stop by at

Talk of a housing bubble is beginning to crop up as home prices have appreciated at a rapid pace this year. This is understandable since the appreciation of residential real estate is well above historic annual averages. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), annual appreciation si

Credit Score While a recent announcement from CNBC shares that the average national FICO® score has reached an all-time high of 706, the good news for potential buyers is that you don’t need a score that high to qualify for a mortgage. Let’s unpack the credit score myth so you can to become a homeow

For all my history buffs out there, here are some interesting facts about Labor Day and the origins of the holiday. The Early American Working Conditions Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It is traditionally the first Monday in September. It was create

Should I remodel and sell or should I just sell? With the fall season upon us, change is in the air. For many families, children are growing up and moving out of the house, maybe leaving for college or taking a jump into the working world. Parents are finding themselves as empty nesters for the fi

If you haven’t been to Main Street Antiques, you’ve probably driven by and not realized it.  It’s located at 200 North Main Street (no surprise there) next to the Family Dollar Store downtown.  Their entrance is deceivingly small but once you walk in, the shop keeps going and going with over 6000 s

The Dorchester County Library on Old Trolley Road first opened its doors in the 1970s.  George H Seago Jr is the man largely responsible for the inception to opening day for Summerville’s first local public library.  Access to books for the public prior to that was only through small, private establ

Did you know that there really was an Uncle Sam, the most popular personification of the United States?  Most Americans think of the early 20th century and Sam’s frequent appearance on army recruitment posters.  The figure of Uncle Sam dates from the War of 1812. Origination of Uncle Sam It is beli

GET THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY ON YOUR REMODEL OR REPLACEMENTS Making the most of your home improvement investments can be tricky, subjective, and sometimes - expensive.  I've often been asked by potential sellers to price homes higher than market value based on the improvements that owners have made t

Through these unique and challenging times, you may have found your home becoming your office, your children’s classroom, your workout facility, and your family’s safe haven. With close to four in ten Americans now working remotely due to COVID, they are rethinking what they need in a home.  Half of

Virginia Creeper Trail Several weeks ago my husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary in the mountains.  While there, we mountain biked.  OK, I like saying that because it makes me sound adventurous and athletic but here’s the real story.  We biked half of the Virginia Creeper Trail. Ei

Memorial Day's Meaning When we think of Memorial Day, thoughts of BBQ's, picnics, and beaches may come to mind.  Let's not forget the true origin of the holiday.  It's is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May.  It honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. militar

What Does Owning Your Own Home Mean to You? We often talk about the financial reasons why buying a home makes sense. But, more often than not, the emotional reasons are the more powerful and compelling ones. The concept and feeling of home can mean different things to different people. Whether

Here is some great information on some of the historic homes in Summerville, courtesy of the Summerville Visitors Center.  The Summerville Historic Homes and Flowers Walking Tour is also a great way to spend the afternoon.  Check out the map or download the brochure.  You can park at Azalea Park nea

Like the cover of a book, the exterior of your home is the first opportunity you have to pique a buyer’s interest. These are a few simple and inexpensive ways to help your home make a better first impression with easy curb appeal upgrades. Get To Grooming A well-groomed yard shows buyers the hom

Every one in Summerville knows the Berlin G Myers Parkway, but do you know about Mr Berlin G Myers?  He is an excellent example of someone from “The Greatest Generation”.  The common characteristics of Greatest Generation members are that they lived through and experienced the hardships of the Great

Who What and Where Coastal Produce is a long-time icon in Summerville and a great place to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.  It’s located on the corner of West 4th North St and North Cedar St and has been since they opened in 1991.  The father/son team of CB and Mike Gray started the business

I’m sure everyone has heard the saying “60 is the new 40!”  The senior generation today is definitely more active, physically fit, and social.  With this, there is a growing desire to create a lifestyle that adapts and facilitates a community of like-minded people.  There is a comfortable feeling b