Now is the time to get your home ready to list, and here is why listing with a well-known professional (like us!) makes a difference. 

Selling your house is no simple task. And when you sell on your own – known as a FSBO (or For Sale by Owner) – you’re responsible for handling some of the more difficult aspects of the process without the expert guidance you need.

The 2021 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) surveys homeowners who recently sold their house on their own and asks what difficulties they faced. Those sellers say some of the biggest headaches are prepping their house for sale, pricing it right, and handling the required paperwork.

Working with an agent is the best way to ensure you…

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From the opportunity to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates to changing homeowner needs, Americans have more motivation than ever to buy a home. According to the experts, buyers are making moves right now, creating an unseasonably strong housing market for this time of year.

As we wrap up the fall season and move into the winter months, here’s a look at what several industry leaders have to say about the continued momentum in the current market, and what it means as we head into the early part of next year.

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors (NAR)

“This solid buying is a testament to demand still being relatively high, as it is occurring during a time when inventory is still markedly low. The notable…

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It’s the stuff of sitcoms: the thermostat wars in which one household member keeps cranking the heat and the family miser repeatedly ratcheting the dial back down. (You know who you are!)

While this back-and-forth drama plays out daily in homes across America, the guideline for temperature settings sits as if carved in stone. The government’s energy-saving advice is simple: Lock in the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re awake—and then dial it back by 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day, usually while you sleep, to save on heating costs.

For some ice-blooded types, though, 68 is a laughably high number. It turns out, there’s a small but vocal contingent out there who revel in chilling out at 55 degrees—the unofficial bottom…

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There’s no denying the financial benefits of homeownership, but what’s often overlooked are the feelings of gratitude, security, pride, and comfort we get from owning a home. This year, those emotions are stronger than ever. We’ve lived through a time that has truly changed our needs and who we are, and as a result, homeownership has a whole new meaning for many of us.

According to the 2021 State of the American Homeowner report by Unison:

“Last year, staying home became a necessity and that caused many homeowners to have renewed gratitude for the roof over their head.”

As a nation, we continue to work through the challenges of a pandemic that’s pushed us all to new limits. Over the past year and a half, we’ve spent more time than ever…

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Giving up size doesn't mean giving up style or swag! This could make your life so much easier & more streamline. Think... "Tidy house, tidy mind." Maybe 800 square feet is a little too small for you but the topic of downsizing has been floating around social media the past couple weeks. At first thought, it makes you think of getting old. However, it seems to be more of an opportunity to get rid of things that you don't want and need and to move forward with less commitment. 

The tiny house movement has taken over, and we aren't opposed. Moving into a smaller home isn't as big of a sacrifice as you might think. Sure, you're scaling back on physical square footage, but you'll be saving big in other areas. Eight hundred square feet may sound…

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Thank goodness #4 doesn't apply to us here in the Lowcountry! It's one of the main reasons lots of us moved here, but nonetheless make sure you have any tools you need for the few days that you go to your car and there's a layer of frost on the windows. How many of you still have window scrapers? I confess- I just run my car on high heat for a really long time!

It’s the spring cleaning of fall, so to speak.

With THE HOLIDAYS coming at you fast and furious, you want to be sure your home is cozy, but with that fresh-as-spring feel — as opposed to that musty-damp-winter feel.

Here's how to make that happen (along with a few other timely tips):

#1 Wash Bed Pillows








You love your trusty, old, perfectly-snugged-to-your-head…

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Plants can help personalize a home and enhance the interior. Plants can also help sell a home. According to a survey by Costa Farms and Alloy Research, one third of plant owners feel that plants “make a house feel like a home and that they make any home seem more welcoming.” The question is: Fake plants or real plants? Here are some pointers to help you decide.

If you’re a frequent traveler, leaving live plants alone to fend for themselves may not be a good idea. Unless you have someone to check your home and to water and feed your plants in your absence, having live plants is probably not a good idea.

Consider your pets. Curious cats and dogs can destroy your natural indoor garden by nibbling on leaves or digging in the soil.

Whether your…

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Small Rooms Don’t Need Small Furniture—And 9 Other Surprising Design Truths

We all gravitate toward design TV shows because there’s something utterly satisfying about seeing a home makeover completed in a matter of 30 minutes. But in that span of time—commercial breaks included—there’s a lot of information that gets lost. We start to believe that a kitchen renovation only takes two days. We’re told it’s expensive to fix a faulty foundation but never find out how much it actually costs. This lack of transparency ultimately inspired Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters, the designers who make up Atlanta-based firm Forbes Masters, to start posting design facts on their Instagram feed. The short, informative blurbs take the guesswork out of things like…

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It's not hard to find lots of information and advice on growing yourself while learning something new. I am also a big proponent of that mindset. 

Here is a great book recommendation to start or continue your journey on self-growth. All of us have bad habits...right?!!

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Front doors matter. They give a home a distinct personality and can update a house feeling a little dated. It changes the whole appearance and "feel" of a home. It either welcomes you or makes you shutter! Our old front door on our house was awful. It was varnished brown with gold trim and glass. It made the whole house look tired and did not match the style of the home. Once we changed it, POW! It made all the difference. I love, love, love the way it turned out. Perfect color for my favorite season too, Welcome Fall!

Knock, Knock: Your Front Door Holds the Key to Boosting Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, even in today’s red-hot real-estate market—and designing a grand entrance could make a big difference

When sisters Char Riley and…

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